CAF Confederation Cup: Round 1 Stade Olympique de Radès 15:00 Sunday March 12th, 2017
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) football team will face a new and tough African adventure this weekend in Tunis against one of Africa’s giants, Club Africain, the Tunisian omnisport club and winners of the 27th edition of the CAF Champions League.
The two will go toe to toe for this first time ever on Sunday for the first leg of their CAF Cup encounter at the Stade Olympique de Rades in the Tunisian capital while the second leg to be held in Freetown will be in the following weekend.
RSLAF on paper, are no doubt the underdogs for this crucial encounter and many African pundits are sceptical of backing a major upset from the Sierra Leonean side.
“Football is an unpredictable game. If RSLAF can eliminate Nigerian club, Wikki Tourists 2-1 on aggregate in the preliminary stage after playing with 10 men for almost 35 minutes, nothing is impossible,” Joshua Sandy said in RSLAF’s defence.
Club Africain, will be without January acquisition striker, Matthew Rusike but the technical staff will be able to count on Seifeddin Jaziri and Malian striker, Malick Touré.
Club Africain were eliminated 2-1 from the 2016 CAF Champions League by Algerian top flight side MO Béjaïa despite Club Africain winning the first leg 1-0 at home. RSLAF have nothing to lose.
They have already been very impressive following their triumph in Nigeria and many Sierra Leonean soccer fans believe they can stamp another shocker in this competition if they can pick up a vital goal in Tunis.
Head Coach, Alimamy Bangura, according to media reports is quoted as saying that his side will settle for a defensive formation in Tunis, playing on the break.
Club Africain Honours: African Champions League Winners: 1991 – CAF Confederation Cup Runners-up: 2011 – Afro-Asian Club Championship Winners: 1993 – African Cup Winners’ Cup – Runners-up: 1990, 1999
CAF Confederations Cup weekend matches
11.03. 13:00 Vipers (Uga) v Platinum Stars (Rsa)
11.03. 13:30 Sanga Balende (DRC) v Hilal El Obied Club (Sud)
11.03. 14:00 Libolo (Ang) v Ngezi Platinum FC (Zim)
11.03. 14:30 Etoile du Congo (Con) v Kabylie (Alg)
11.03. 16:30 AS Kaloum Star (Gui) v IR Tanger (Mar)
11.03. 17:00 Onze Createurs (MLI) v Rayon Sport (Rwa)
11.03. 17:00 Sfaxien (Tun) v Young Sports Academy (Cmr)
12.03. 15:00 Club Africain (Tun) v RSLAF (SLE)
12.03. 16:00 ASEC (Ivo) v APEJES Academy (Cmr)
12.03. 16:15 Azam (Tan) v Mbabane Swall. (Swa)
12.03. 16:30 Ahli Shendi (Sud) v Supersport (Rsa)
12.03. 17:00 Djoliba (Mli) v El Masry (Egy)
12.03. 19:00 Maghreb (Mar) v Sporting Gagnoa (Ivo)
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