Sfaxien's coach Murad Mahjoub lashed out at Tunisian clubs for their lack of support ahead of the decisive African Champions League final against title holders Ahli. The veteran tactician was furious that his team's requests to postpone local league matches were turned down by the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) based on recommendation from their Tunisian opponents. “What the Tunisian clubs are doing is absolutely unacceptable,” Mahjoub told local paper Assabah on Monday. “Their actions will result in closing the door on an African title for Tunisia,” he added. The FTF had refused to allow Sfaxien more time to prepare for the second-leg of the African final against Ahli, scheduled for November 11th in Tunis. Sfaxien played a goalless stalemate against CS Hammam-Lif in the league on Sunday. “Instead of having 10 days to prepare for the African final, now we have five,” said a frustrated Mahjoub. Mahjoub noted that this was not the first time that such an incident occurred, referring to a similar incident ahead of the first-leg against Ahli in Cairo.
“Logic says that everyone has to support Sfaxien in their title race, but unfortunately that isn't the case.” Mahjoub said he envied Egyptian champions Ahli for the support of their local clubs and football federation. “The Egyptians are giving Ahli even more time than they need to prepare for the final while here in Tunisia we have to beg for support,” said Mahjoub. Nevertheless, Mahjoub sounded optimistic about his team's chances. “Sfaxien deserve the African title,” he said. “We have another 90 minutes left and all we have to do is focus and we will win the trophy.” He, however, refused to acknowledge that the decision to hold the final at the ‘Rades' Stadium in Tunis rather than Sfaxien's Taieb Mhiri Stadium in Sfax will give his team an edge. “There is no advantage in playing in Rades,” he said. “We are used to playing in Sfax where we know the pitch and have the ability to perform at our best.” The Tunisian giants, who are bidding for their first Champions League title, held Ahli to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Cairo.
