Club Africain is set to host ES Zarzis, an opponent that has shown significant improvement with a notable qualification to the next round of the Confederation Cup. To create imbalance and open up spaces against ES Zarzis's potential low block, Club Africain will need to combine patience, speed, and precision. The team, under coach Maher Kanzari, is expected to adopt an offensive approach with a dominant and proactive posture.
Club Africain's likely lineup will feature a 4-2-3-1 formation, with five players having an offensive temperament. The team's defensive line, including Malian Ismaila Simpara, Ammar Abdelhak, and Senegalese Mamadou Diatta, will play a crucial role in reducing the opponent's space for expression. The full-backs, Ghaith Zaâlouni and Houssem Ben Ali, will need to be offensive, either by overlapping on their preferred flank or temporarily transforming into midfielders to create numerical superiority.
In midfield, Club Africain will likely field a first line with Gambian Saidou Khan and offensive midfielder Moataz Zaddem. Ahead of this duo, Kanzari may opt for a trio consisting of wingers Hamza Khadhraoui and Congolese Philippe Kinzumbi, while Aymen Harzi will operate in a hybrid role as a creative midfielder and supporting striker.
However, coach Kanzari will have to make adjustments due to the rules regarding foreign players in Ligue 1. He can only field a maximum of four non-native players simultaneously and register up to six foreign players on the match sheet. This might lead to reserves like Libyan Oussema Chrimi, Burkinabé Alain Kanté, and Cameroonian Riyan Tetego being involved.
If Ammar Abdelhak starts in the axis, a spot could open up for Cameroonian Taddeus Nkeng, who might debut in place of Sadok Kadida. Coach Kanzari has other options at his disposal, including midfielder Haikel Chikhaoui, pivot Hamza Laâbidi, and striker Oussema Bouguerra.
To break down ES Zarzis's defense, Club Africain will need to diversify its animation and apply iron discipline in the final third of the pitch. The team will aim to initiate an aggressive press as soon as the ball is lost, maximize the use of width and depth to bypass ES Zarzis's potential low block, and stretch the opponent's defense to the maximum.
Club Africain will look to build on its two consecutive wins, having started the championship with victories away against ESM and at home against ESHS. The team will seek to stifle ES Zarzis immediately through distinctive tactical principles, including high possession and territorial control, with the aim of securing another win at the Hamadi Agrebi stadium.
Key points
- Club Africain to face ES Zarzis with an offensive approach
- Coach Maher Kanzari may field a 4-2-3-1 formation with five offensive players
- Team will need to diversify animation and apply discipline in the final third
