Esperance sportive de Tunis start their 2026-27 CAF Champions League campaign on Sunday, 18 October, with a second preliminary round first-leg tie against Al-Swehly SC in Libya.
The match will kick off at 17:00 GMT, or 18:00 local time in Tunisia and Libya, at Misrata Stadium. Esperance will be seeking a positive result to take into the return fixture, which will be played in Rades on 24 October.
The Tunisian side were given a bye in the opening preliminary round and now enter the competition aiming to maintain their established presence among Africa’s leading clubs.
Esperance have reached the group stage in every season since 2016-17 and are seeking another qualification this year. Avoiding defeat, or securing an away win, would give the Sang et Or a stronger position before the second leg at home.
Al-Swehly SC will hope home advantage can help them cause a surprise against more experienced opposition. The Libyan club are taking part in the CAF Champions League for the first time and will be looking to make an impression against a team accustomed to major continental occasions.
The hosts’ ability to manage the key phases of the match and withstand pressure from Esperance will be central to their prospects at Misrata Stadium.
Esperance, meanwhile, will want to establish an advantage without compromising their position ahead of the return in Rades. Their plans have been affected by the expected absence of full-back Mohamed Ben Ali, who is sidelined with a muscle injury.
