Facing an Unknown and Inexperienced Sudanese Opponent
The Etoile du Sahel will play against Ahli Wad Madani for the first time, and they must not hesitate to achieve a reassuring result.
A Challenging Away Game
A away game is never easy to negotiate in continental matches, but the team must cope with the uncertainties and obstacles. The continental break comes at the right time for Nafkha's team, which has just been reinforced with the arrival of right-back Ahmed Horchani from Gawafel Gafsa, with a 3-year contract.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 14:00 (Tunisian time) in the first preliminary round of the CAF Cup. The ESS will face the Sudanese team Ahli Wad Madani at the stadium where Alassane Diao used to play, and he is familiar with the pitch having played with Azam FC, the third-placed team in the Tanzanian championship. The official delegation of the Etoile arrived on Thursday in the best conditions.
First Turning Point of the Season
The Etoile du Sahel is approaching this first turning point of the season with the ambition of starting its African campaign on a good note. After a 2023-2024 season with mixed results on the continental scene, being eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League, and a year without African interclub cup competition, the team is determined to gradually regain its former luster and go as far as possible in this prestigious competition.
Interim coach Mohamed Ali Nafkha is aware of the importance of this first leg and has undoubtedly emphasized the need to score that crucial away goal to put the team in a favorable position before the return match, scheduled in a week in Tunisia. The team is counting on Aouani and Anan to unlock the situation, while the defense and midfield, with Naoualí, Ghedamsi, and Ben Choug, must do their job.
A Formidable Opponent
As for Ahli Wad Madani, despite the disadvantage of playing away from home, the Sudanese team is not to be underestimated. They have shown resilience in adapting to this situation, and their players are ready to take on the challenge. The team, relatively unknown on the continental scene, will try to create an upset against an opponent like the Etoile.
Their squad is largely composed of local players, as well as foreigners like the Ghanaians, including goalkeeper Mensah, defender Cudjoe, and right-winger Stephen Baffour. The Guinean Camara, the Ivorian offensive midfielder Niamke, and the Nigerian Moses Odo, among others, complete Ahli Wad Madani's attacking line, the underdog of the competition.
The match promises to be exciting. The Etoile Sportive du Sahel, with its rich continental record and reputation as a formidable opponent, is the favorite to win. All eyes of the Etoile Sportive du Sahel supporters will be on this match, hoping that their players will finally react.
