Club Africain

Club Africain

Full name	Club Africain
Nickname(s)	CA / Commandos l asima / Red and White
Founded	4 October 1920
Ground	Stade Olympique d'El Menzah Tunis, Tunisia (Capacity: 45,000)
Chairman	Jamel Atrous
Manager	Faouzi Benzarti
League	CLP-1
2009/10	2nd
Home colours Away colours Third colours

The Club Africain (Arabic: النادي الأفريقي‎), also known as CA or Al Nadi Al Ifriki, is a Tunisian omnisport club founded in 1920 in Tunis. Club Africain football section He is best known for its section of football. The team first, which evolves Tunisia Championship, is currently coached by Faouzi Benzarti.

This is one of the two major clubs in the capital of Tunisia, Tunis with Esperance Sportive de Tunis (EST). The derbies with the other club matches are of great intensity, during which exacerbated the historic rivalry between the two clubs and their supporters.

The African Club holds international securities: a Champions League CAF, a Afro-Asian Cup of clubs, a Arab Cup winners 'Cup, a Arab Champions League, two North African Cup of champion Clubs, three Maghreb Champions Cup and One Maghreb Cup Winners Cup.

Nationally, the African Club has won twelve league titles as well as eleven Tunisian President Cup and three Tunisian Super Cup, a record.

Original performance and unique in the history of African football, the Club is the only African team to win four times during the season 1991-1992.

History

Creation

Order permitting the African Club October 4, 1920

The African Club was ready to do business in the year 1919 but that delayed the beginning was the name he was going to take (Club Islamic African). Indeed, this name has been challenged by the authorities of the French protectorate because at that time, while Tunisian club had the right to exist with the permission of authorities. So it is that the October 4 1920 that the club is officially authorized to do business, but his itinerary does not begin on that date.

Club Africain, as claimed by some of its founding fathers, is a natural extension of the African Stadium (association founded in 1915 and dissolved 1918) which preserves the color, spirit, a part of the name and a core of players (especially Mohamed Soudani). The latter is also the chairman of the inaugural meeting of the club which is held in a coffee of Bab Jadid belonging to a family now clubiste. It should be noted that the first headquarters of the club is the Makhzen Essoufi (deposit of wool) which is located in the district of El Morkadh.

Since its introduction, the authorization request is subject to a blackmail as the approval is subject to three conditions:

• The appointment as head of sales of a President French nationality;
• Change the colors chosen (i.e. red and blank), which forced the club to play his first season with a blue jersey;
• Giving up the national emblem (crescent and star).

It is then to force the club members to steer clear of any reference to National Flag and its base while alienating identity. The terms of this compromise is categorically denied, especially the first point, since his future rival and neighbor, was founded on January 15 1919, was a French president, Louis Montassier. Finally, the hard forced the authorities of the time to give and to grant a concession to the African Club historic Tunisian nationality of the president and the national emblem, which now adorns the club's jersey. The founding fathers of the club, much more intransigent, are ultimately successful case and impose a full executive board, chaired by Tunisia Bashir Mustapha Ben.

The first official team in 1920 is as follows:

• Guardian: Mannouba Haouari
• Defense: Jameldine Bousnia, Machouch Mohamed Mahmoud Malouche
• Midfielders: Hassen Gaddour, Hassen Nouissri, Mistaoui Ahmed Mohamed Ayed
• Forwards: Abderrahmen Kalfat, Arbi Ben Yamina, Zaglaoui Ahmed, Ahmed Dhahak

Resistance and Development (1920-1945)

Despite a difficult genesis, the club uses the spirit of sport to engage and mentor youth in an anti-colonial perspective. During this period, and despite its modest capabilities and constraints of its environment, it continues its development, while contributing to the entrenchment of National Culture to create The Rachidia and the formation of a Tunisian theater, the club has its own theater at the 1930s and organizing the first of the cultural and artistic events . It also grants free entry to point to women in the 1930s .

The club is also resistant to some hoarding tendencies, such as the failed attempt of Habib Bourguiba in 1934, merge with IS .

At the same time, the club record of achievements in sports such as accession to the first division in 1937, where it continues to evolve seamlessly .

First titles (1945-1960)

Team in 1958-1959

Club Africain won his first championship in the 1946-1947 season. On the last day of the championship, the May 11 1947, he played against his rival, the Esperance Sportive de Tunis, the game ends in a goalless draw, but it is sufficient for the CA won the title. The following season, the club reiterates that performance by winning his second championship, this time against the Etoile Star of Sahel. The Club also participates in African editions of the North African Champions Cup, but is unable to win against the competition from the big clubs Algeria ns and Morocco and at the time. In league with the emergence of Sport Club of Hammam Lif (CSHL), it is unable to win titles for several seasons and had to settle for supporting roles. In 1956, with the country's independence, the club reached for the first time ever in the finals of the Tunisian Cup, but lost 3-1 faced with a Tunisia Stadium (ST) on the rise and finished third in the championship to eight points in the CSHL. The following season the club finished fourth in Africa, with only nine wins in 22 games and is eliminated in the first rounds of cuts in Tunisia. Season 1957-1958 is even worse since the CA finished sixth. This loss of power pushing their leaders to recruit the coach Fabio Roccheggiani deemed to be a great trainer. This long-term strategy allows the CA to improve gradually the situation.

Golden Age (1960-1980)

This is the period during which the African Club, on a roll, gathering most of his trophies at the national and regional levels.

It all starts with the conquest of the championship season 1963-1964, the first title won after independence, won with a staff of young players like Tahar Chaïbi, Mohamed Salah Jedidi and Sadok Sassi. The following season, the club just a second place in the league with 55 points on the meter (thirteen wins, seven draws and two losses), a point behind the leader, but saves its season with the cut face of Tunisia to the Future The Marsa Sports (ASM), a first.

In 1966-1967, he won the championship with 58 points (fifteen wins, six draws and a defeat), eight points ahead of runner-up, the Etoile Sahel (ESS), it beats 2-0 after extra time in the Cup final, winning for the first time in its history the league-cup double. This season, however, is marred by the death of coach Roccheggiani shortly before the end of the competition. During the season 1967-1968, the CA won the cup against the Sfax Railways Sports but finished second in the league against the same club. The following season, he finished second again - this time to five points in the Sport Club Sfaxien (CSS) - and won the cup against the Hope Sports Tunis (EST) he faces for the first time in Cup final.

In 1969-1970, the cup was again won against the ASM, but the championship is lost to the detriment of the TSE. In December 1970, the African Club won the North African Cup Winners' Cup, becoming the first Tunisian club to win an international title having first defeated the USM Alger in the semifinals by the score of 1-0, then the ASM in the final by a score of 2-0. But he finished second in the championship despite a defense that conceding eight goals and it is eliminated by cutting the first round, ending a series of four consecutive Cups (a record). In 1971-1972, the CA returns to national titles, winning its sixth Cup in Tunisia, thus taking his revenge against the ST, which had beaten in the final 1956, he finished runner-up three points in the ESS.

Team doubled in the season 1972-1973

With the appointment of Jamel Eddine Bouabsa as a coach, the club won its second African doubled 1972-1973: the sacred against the champions from the previous season and Cutting in front of the ASM. Still in continuity, CA won the championship in 1973-1974, but quite difficult, and despite an attack which marks forty times (best attack) and defense that conceding only 18 goals (best defense), he won in January 1974 during the same season, his first North African Cup of Champion Clubs'. The players because of Algeria n the Youth Sports Kabylie by beating them 2-0 at Algeria, in honor of their friend Ezzedine Belhassen, died on the eve of game in his hotel room.

The following season, they lose the championship at the expense of the TSE and the cup at the expense of the ESS, but once again won the North African Cup of Champion Clubs' in September 1974 at Casablanca, opposite Raja Beni Mellal. They reissued the same performance in October 1975 in Tunis, facing the team of MC Alger they manage to beat in a penalty shoot on goal (4 -2 for CA), despite the clear dominance of Algerians during the match.

The team and also the Chabab Belouizdad riadh to the number of editions won (three) and became the most successful across the Maghreb. During the season 1975-1976, the club finished third in the league, but won his eighth Cup on penalties, facing east, the porter of successful CA to stop three shots. In 1976-1977, despite an attack that scored 41 goals and a defense that conceded only that twenty (best defense), the Board lost the title to the Youth sports Kairouan and missed the cut in the semi-final against CSS. In 1977-1978, it must again be satisfied with second place, five points of the CSS, but saw five of its players selected with the national team to the World Cup 1978 Mokhtar Naili Sadok Sassi Kamel Chebli, Mohammed Ali Moussa and Nejib Ghommidh. The CA won again the title 1978-1979, the ST finishing one point behind. In 1979-1980, with players such as Nails, Chebli, Nejib Messaoudi and Moussa, and Andrew Nagy as a coach, he won again the championship, this time facing the east, and conceding only seven goals in 26 games of the championship (national record). This crop of titles is mainly due to the players trained within the club and a great spirit of solidarity that unites the players.

Drought period (1981-1989)

It all starts with the Cup final against Tunisia 1979-1980 TSE: Club Africain, although after his favorite champion, bowed 2-0 and loses the opportunity to win a third doubled. In 1980-1981, first to the last day, he loses to CSS Sfax, a score of 2-1, and is rapidly eliminated in section. The following season, he lost another title in the final of the cup facing the Club Athlétique Bizertin (CAB) and finished second in the league with 58 points, six points behind the champion, the IS. In 1982-1983 with Mokhtar Tlili at the head of the team, the CA ends at a point of CSS, despite an attack that mark 52 times and is eliminated by the ASM in the semifinals of the cut score of 1-0. The following season, the Board bowed at home to champion the previous year, on the score of 1-0, and finished fourth in the league, level on points with the SSE and to the point of the two leaders, ST and the CAB. During the season 1984-1985, with the return of Andrew Nagy as a coach, the team as favorites, but early failures lead to the settle for second place behind the IS, despite a victory in the Derby on May 5 1985 (5-1) which allows to hope until the title 'at the end, she loses the Cup final on penalties, against the CSHL.

The following season the club finished third in the African championship, to a point of vice-champion, but six points behind champion, ESS, and was beaten on penalties in the final of the cup by the TSE. In 1986-1987, the CA does a lackluster performance, finishing five points champion (ESS), is being eliminated on penalties in quarter-finals by the CAB. In 1987-1988, he misses the championship in the last ten days, leaving him slip through the IS and the Olympic Club transport, and loses once again the Cup final against the latter on penalties. The following season, he loses the first Arab Champions League (4-2) on penalties against Al Ittifaq Dammam and ends at thirteen points of the IS in the league, against whom he lost in cup final score of 2-0. He will not win any title in this decade, despite a workforce with the likes of Hédi Bayari Lassaad Abdelli and Kamel Chebli.

Back to the top and quadrupled history (1990-1992)

Team of the final of the African Cup of Champion Clubs 1991

It all starts with the championship of the season 1990, started poorly in the beginning, so much so that the difference between the CA and the IS reaches thirteen points. The appointment of Farid Abbas at the head of the club and Faouzi Benzarti as first team coach allows the CA to chain a winning streak and win the championship in the last day beating the ASM 1-0 on a goal of Kais Yaakoubi. During the following season, the Club Africa loses the final of the African Cup Winners' Cup against Nigeria n the BCC Lions Football Club and is satisfied with a second place in the league, behind the IS, despite a win against them 3-0 on May 5 1991. The team managed to win the African Cup of Champion Clubs the following season, the December 23 1991, becoming the first Tunisian club to win the title . In the league, during the penultimate day, the African Club receives the CAB, the first in the standings with two points ahead of the CA, the Olympic Stadium of El Menzah, Adel Sellimi brand the only purpose of the meeting, the {91} {e} minute of play, allowing the club to win the tenth title in championship history by finishing in the lead, with only one point ahead of the CAB and 17 the defending champion, is. He realizes the double by beating the S & T Cup finals in Tunisia, marking a year for the club on from his victory in the African Cup of Champion Clubs and the Afro-Asian Cup of clubs against Al-Hilal Riyadh.

Hammouda Ben Ammar (1993-1996)

After a disastrous season in 1993-1994, Hammouda Ben Ammar took control of the African Club for two years. During this period the club won in 1995 the Arab Cup Winners' Cup in Sousse Olympic Stadium: the team beating the SSE in the final (1-0), after extra time and with a view to Nabil Maaloul penalty. The club also won the 1995-1996 championship with records: Boubaker Ezzitouna managed to keep his clean sheet in 1,004 minutes, which is then a national record. The team conceding only one goal during the go phase of the championship and seven during the season, scoring 49 goals in total, the top scorer of the championship, Sami Touati, scoring 17 goals.

Black Years (1997-2005)

While the other club in the capital began his golden period, the club is experiencing a crisis of ten years, during which he won the Cup in Tunisia (1998 and 2000) and Arab Champions League (1997). However, it accesses the Cup finals against the IS (1999) and the Tunisian Stadium (2003), in the final of the African Cup Winners' Cup in 1999 and Arab Champions League in 2002. He also saw coaches as presidents succeed Park A.

Early Renewal (2006)

Club president for a year, Kamel Idir decided to give the reins of the team at the French Bertrand Marchand. Under his leadership, the finalist of the cut ends of Tunisia national runner-up the following season.

Ben Chikha, choice of discipline (2007-2009)

Supporters of CA in Rades Stadium 22 May 2008

The recruitment of Youssef Mouihbi a full forward line already welcoming into its ranks Zouheir Dhaouadi and Moussa Pokong. Abdelhak Benchikha then advocates a 4-3-3 tactic. Ultimately, players such as Lassaad Ouertani Karim Aouadhi and Alexis Enam Mendamo prove important to the club, forming a complementary trio. Wissem Ben Yahia, which confirms the quality of play at the highest level, quickly becomes the new idol of fans thanks to its versatility and its recovery in tech balloons.

When mercato winter 2008, Club Africain striker commits Aymen rhif of the sporting future of La Marsa. The 22, the club champion for the twelfth time in its history, following a victory over the Esperance Sportive de Zarzis (2-1) . In the offseason, we complete the defensive sector consists of Mohamed Bachtobji Mohamed Ali Gharzoul Khaled Souissi Hamdi Werhane Chokri Zaalani Helmi Hmam and Anis Amri, not to mention the guardian Adel Nefzi beating a championship record with 1,269 minutes of play without conceding a goal, the 39 eighth minute of the day at 48 {minute} {e} of {22} {e} day.

During the 2008-2009 season, the club does not win the championship, finishing second with the best defense, but with a historic victory in the derby, the first March 2009 against the EST (3 - 0).

Pierre Lechantre Cycle (2009-2010)

In 2009, coach Pierre Lechantre takes the command but the results are not to go, both in the second phase of the championship as the output of the second round of the CAF Champions League.

In April 2010, the office manager Lechantre replaced by Habib Mejri but accumulate poorly with the release of Tunisia Cup semi-final.

Presidential Depression (2010-2011)

During the preparation of the 2010-2011 season, the club is going through a crisis of its executive board after the final release of Kamel Idir. If Jamel Atrous is preferred by the supporters, Belhassen Trabelsi, brother of First Lady Ben Ali, refused the name because of a dispute between families Trabelsi Atrous and around the concession Isuzu. Following the appointment of Atrous, it is ousted before the start of the season and replaced by Cherif Bellamine, however, who enjoyed a peaceful retreat, with Vice President Munir Balti. Two losses during the first three games and other losses lead the club out of the race of the championship and the cup even if it wins the North African Champions Cup; defeat against the Esperance Sportive de Zarzis to El Menzah stadium during the Tunisian revolution and the pressure of fans cause the dismissal of coach Mrad Mahjoub, replacing it with Kais Yaakoubi and the resignation of Balti (club president Acting) which calls for a general meeting during which the situation would be clarified.

Advent of Jamel Atrous (2011)

After the flight and Trabelsi family of deposed president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali on January 14 2011, the African Club holds a general election on 25 February : Jamel Atrous is elected President and Vice President Salah Mannai. Club Africain of Tunisia is the first team to hold an elective general assembly after the revolution.

Achievements

Performances in nationale compétitions

• Tunisian League: 12
  • Winners: 1947,^[1] 1948,^[1] 1964, 1967, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2008.
  • Vice-champion : 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1998, 2007, 2009, 2010.
• Tunisian President Cup: 11
  • Winners: 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1992, 1998, 2000.
  • Finalist : 1956, 1963, 1974, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1999, 2003, 2006.
• Tunisian Super Cup: 3
  • Winners: 1968, 1970, 1979.
  • Runners-up : 1973

Performance in CAF competitions

• CAF Champions League: 4 appearances

1997 – Group Stage

2008 – Third Round

2010 – First Round

2011 – abandoned in Second Round

• African Cup of Champions Clubs: 3 appearances
  

  Club Africain Players and Fans celebrating after winning a match

1991 – Winner^[2]

1992 – Quarter-Finals

1993 – Second Round

• CAF Confederation Cup: 3 appearances

2004 – Second Round

2008 – Quarter-Finals

2011 –

• CAF Cup: 1 appearance

2003 – Semi-Finals

• African Cup Winners' Cup: 4 appearances

1990 – Finalist

1999 – Finalist

2000 – Second Round

2001 – Semi-Finals

Performance in Arab Union Association

• Arab Champions League: 1

1997 – Winner

Finalist: 1988, 2003

• Arab Cup Winners' Cup: 1

1995 – Winner

Performance in other international competitions

• Afro-Asian Club Championship: 1

1992 – Winner

• Maghreb Champions Cup: 3

1973 – Winner

1974 – Winner

1975 – Winner

• Maghreb Cup Winners Cup: 1

1970 – Winner

• North African Cup of Champions: 2

2008 – Winner

2010 – Winner

Presidents

Abdelaziz Lasram

Féthi Zouhir

• Béchir Ben Mustapha (1920–1922)
• Ouannes Laâjimi (1922–1923)
• Abdelaziz Ounaies (1923–1924)
• Mustapha Sfar (1924–1925)
• Abdelaziz Ounaies (1925–1927)
• Ali Belhaj (1927–1931)
• Abdelaziz Ounaies (1931–1932)
• Moncef Okbi (1932–1940)
• Mohamed Ali Annabi (1940–1941)
• Moncef Okbi (1941–1946)
• Salah Aouidj (1946–1948)
• Mohamed Asmi (1948–1949)
• Mhammed Mestiri (1950–1952)
• Mohamed Asmi (1952–1953)
• Salah Aouidj (1954–1956)
• Mohamed Asmi (1956–1958)
• Salah Aouidj (1958–1964)
• Abdelaziz Lasram (1964–1966)
• Féthi Zouhir (1966–1970)
• Abdeljelil Mhiri (1970–1971)
• Abdelaziz Lasram (1971–1977)
• Farid Mokhtar (1977–1980)
• Ridha Azzabi (1980–1981)
• Farid Mokhtar (1981–1986)
• Mahmoud Mestiri (1986–1987)
• Ridha Azzabi (1987–1988)
• Hammadi Bousbiâ (1988–1989)
• Farid Abbes (1989–1991)
• Ridha Azzabi (1991–1992)
• Chérif Bellamine (1992–1993)
• Hammadi Bousbiâ (1993–1994)
• Hammouda Ben Ammar (1994–1996)
• Said Néji (1996–1997)
• Chérif Bellamine (1997–2000)
• Farid Abbes (2000–2002)
• Chérif Bellamine (2002–2005)
• Kamel Idir (2005–2010)
• Jamel Atrous (2010–2010)
• Chérif Bellamine (2010–2010)
• Jamel Atrous (2011-)

Players

Current First Team Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Sami Nefzi 2 DF Bilel Ifa 3 DF Oussema Haddedi 4 DF Hamza Agrebi 5 DF Abdel Kader Kchache 6 MF Alexis Enam 7 MF Nour Hadhria 8 MF Zied Ziedi 9 FW Amir Akrout 10 MF Vitor Sonny 11 DF Mehdi Meriah 14 DF Seifeddine Akremi 15 MF Zouheir Dhaouadi

No. Position Player 17 DF Mehdi Rssaissi 18 FW Ahmed Saad Osman 19 MF Humphrey Mieno 20 DF Anis Ben Amor 21 FW Aymen Soltani 22 GK Aymen Ben Ayoub 27 FW Ezechiel Ndouassel 28 FW Hamza Messaadi 30 MF Youssef Mouihbi ** FW Wajdi Jabbari ** MF Nafaâ Jbali

Notable former players

Fouad Bouguerra Fodil Megharia Pierre Njanka Moussa Pokong Dramane Traoré Mustapha Bidoudane Abdeljalil Hadda Tadjou Salou

Mehdi Ben Slimane Wissem Ben Yahia Ali Boumnijel Jameleddine Limam Nabil Maaloul Khaled Mouelhi Mokhtar Naili Lassaad Ouertani

Faouzi Rouissi Karim Saidi Sadok Sassi Adel Sellimi Khaled Souissi Mohamed Trabelsi Nader Werda

Notable former coaches

• André Nagy
• René Exbrayat
• Faouzi Benzarti
• Abdelhak Benchikha

Footnotes

1. ^ ^{a b} Title won before the Independence
2. ^ "Club Africain – Characteristics". http://usa.worldfootball.net/teams/club-africain/1/. Retrieved November 9, 2010. 

External links

• Official website