Club Africain vs Djoliba CAF Champions League Preview
Club Africain will be targeting the first-leg advantage when they host Djoliba in their CAF Champions League first-round qualifier.
The Tunisians have shown some good form lately and should have the upper hand over their Malian rivals, who may be lacking competitive sharpness.
Key Stats
- Club Africain are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Club Africain have won four of their last five home matches in all competitions.
- Djoliba have failed to win their last six CAF Champions League qualifiers.
Evenly Matched Rivals
Club Africain and Djoliba have picked up two wins each and as many draws in the last six matches. The most recent meeting was a CAF Confederation Cup clash back in 2012, which ended 2-0 in favour of the Tunisians.
Club Africain Targeting a Winning Return
Club Africain are making a return to the CAF Champions League, having last played in the competition during the 2018/2019 season. They are back at the elite level after winning the Tunisian League Professionnelle last season.
The Tunisian giants are already back in competitive action and have won their opening two domestic matches. They head into this clash off the back of a 1-0 victory over Hamam-Sousse in a Tunisian League Professionnelle clash last weekend.
A closer look at Club Africain’s overall form shows they have been solid lately and are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions. Maher Kanzari’s team have also won four of their last five matches in all competitions.
Djoliba's Continental Struggles
Djoliba have more recent appearances in the CAF Champions League, having reached the group stage in the 2024/2025 season. However, they failed to progress to the knockout phase and suffered a 6-0 defeat to Pyramids of Egypt in their final fixture.
The defeat to Pyramids highlights a run of poor recent results in Africa’s elite club competition for Djoliba. The Malians have failed to win their last six CAF Champions League matches.
Djoliba will be hoping for a different outcome this time as they head into this year's competition as Malian champions. However, Sekou Seck’s team have not been in competitive action since June, when they claimed a 3-1 victory at Korofina in a Premier Division clash.
Team News & Predicted Line-ups
Club Africain (4-2-3-1): Abdelmouhib Chamakh; Gaith Zaalouni, Ammar Abdelhak, Yassine Meriah, Houssem Ben Ali; Aymen Harzi, Saidou Khan; Haykeul Chikhaoui, Mootez Zaddem, Bilel Ait Malek; Taddeus Nkeng.
Zaddem scored the only goals off the bench at Hamam-Sousse and could earn a start on Saturday. Abdelhak and Meriah are expected to continue their central defensive partnership while Nkeng is set to lead the line once again.
Djoliba (4-3-3): Bakary Kouma; Modibo Camara, Clement Kanoute, Badra Ouattara, Lassana Samake; Bourama Diallo, Boubacar Keita, Kenan Glougbe; Mahamadou Sissoko, Aboubacar Sidibe, Fode Toure.