Tunisian coach Radhi Jaïdi faces a significant early test in his new role at Al-Olympi, as he prepares his side to take on the formidable Al-Ahli Tripoli in the Libyan Cup.
The Round of 16 encounter, scheduled for Sunday at Tarhuna Stadium, presents an opportunity for Jaïdi to halt one of the most remarkable unbeaten runs in Libyan domestic football. Al-Ahli Tripoli arrive at the fixture having gone 52 consecutive matches without defeat across league, cup and super competitions.
Jaïdi, 50, was appointed at the end of February following the dismissal of compatriot Anis Al-Baz, who departed after a decline in performances and results. The former Tunisia international now finds himself tasked with revitalising his team while simultaneously attempting to succeed where others have failed this season.
A Defining Challenge in the Libyan Cup
The match will be decided on a single-elimination basis, with penalties to be taken immediately if the sides remain level after normal time. For Jaïdi, the stakes are clear: victory would not only secure a place in the quarter-finals but also end Al-Ahli Tripoli’s long-standing dominance.
His squad will rely on a number of key players, including Benin international Tijani Anani, Ghana’s Issaka Aboudou Diarra, and Mauritania’s Hamia Tangui, as they look to produce an upset against the defending champions.
Al-Ahli Tripoli’s Relentless Form
Standing in their way is a side widely regarded as the strongest in the country. Under the leadership of Egyptian coach Hossam El-Badry, Al-Ahli Tripoli have maintained exceptional consistency throughout the current campaign.
Their unbeaten sequence dates back to 13 July 2024, when they suffered a narrow defeat to Al-Hilal during the championship stage of the Libyan Premier League, held in Italy. Since then, the team has not lost a single domestic fixture.
That run, now stretching to 52 matches, has established them as overwhelming favourites not only for this tie but also for the Libyan Cup title itself.
A Test of Belief and Organisation
Despite the scale of the challenge, Jaïdi’s appointment signals an intent to rebuild and compete at the highest level. Ending Al-Ahli Tripoli’s streak would represent a major statement of progress under his leadership.
However, the task remains daunting. Al-Ahli Tripoli’s squad combines experience with technical quality, allowing them to control matches and consistently deliver results. Few teams have come close to disrupting their momentum this season.
Opportunity Meets Reality
As the two sides prepare to meet, the narrative is defined by contrast — a newly appointed coach seeking a breakthrough against a team that has set the benchmark for domestic dominance.
Whether Jaïdi can engineer a result that reshapes the competition remains uncertain, but the encounter offers a clear measure of both his team’s resilience and Al-Ahli Tripoli’s enduring strength.
