Overcoming a Two-Goal Deficit and Scoring a 3rd without Conceding on the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium Pitch: The Mission of the Bardolais to Advance to the CAF Cup Group Stage
La Presse — After securing their 7th consecutive victory at Bir Bouregba against CAB and thereby solidifying their pole position in L1, the ST returns to the CAF Cup this afternoon with a return leg to be played against the Olympique Club of Safi. Having lost 2-0 in Morocco, the Stade may harbor regrets about not having taken advantage of the first leg, but could it have been otherwise with Egyptian referee Mahmoud El Banna at the helm? In any case, overcoming a two-goal deficit is certainly no easy feat, but the challenge is achievable at Radès, especially since the Stade has recently shown promising sequences and overall cohesion that did not go unnoticed in their recent encounter with CAB. Another nuance introduced by Chokri Khatoui to the Stade's game is the return to the starting lineup of midfielder Rayan Smaâli, the introduction of Brazilian midfielder Alysson Adriano, and the titularization of striker Firas Aifia. These adjustments have borne fruit, resulting in a more fluid game and a more lucid attack, with Amadou Ndiaye proving to be highly effective.
Smaâli and Adriano to Start Again
After having folded at the Marche Verte stadium, the Bardolais will therefore face OC Safi with their foot on the accelerator. Eager for victories, the Stadistes have the means to reverse the trend and advance to the group stage, their first declared objective. What starting eleven can we expect to see today against the Moroccan representative? You don't change a winning team, and we should see the same composition that beat CAB, with a few adjustments. Thus, in front of goalkeeper Noureddine Farhati, Marouane Sahraoui and Skander Sghaïer will form the central defensive partnership alongside right and left backs Hedi Khalfa and Aziz Saihi. In the heart of the game, Amath Ndao will be retained in the midfield quartet with Rayan Smaâli in the holding role and Alysson Adriano in the offensive relay, although Khatoui may opt to start Wael Ouerghemmi, a player capable of single-handedly turning the game around with his vision and decisive passes. In attack, Ndiaye will start up front, Firas Aifia will occupy the left wing, and Youssef Saâfi will return to the right wing. As for alternatives, strikers Amine Khemissi and Amanallah Haboubi, as well as midfielders Mahamat Thiam and Boubacar Junior Camara, are on standby.
