Club Africain
Tunisian professional football club based in Tunis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Club Africain (Arabic: النادي الإفريقي), commonly known as CA, is a Tunisian professional football club based in Tunis. Founded on 4 October 1920,[1] the club competes in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1, the top tier of Tunisian football. The club plays its home matches at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Radès, which has a seating capacity of 65,000.[2]
Al-Afriqi (The African)
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| Full name | Club Africain | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | El Ghalia (The Beloved) Al-Afriqi (The African) | |||
| Short name | CA | |||
| Founded | 4 October 1920[1] | |||
| Ground | Hammadi Agrebi Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 65,000[2] | |||
| Chairman | Mohsen Trabelsi | |||
| Manager | Maher kanzari | |||
| League | Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 | |||
| 2024–25 | 3rd | |||
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In 1991, Club Africain became the first Tunisian club to win the African Cup of Champions Clubs (now the CAF Champions League).[3]
History
Foundation and early years (1920–1955)
Club Africain was founded on 4 October 1920 in the Bab jdid neighborhood of Tunis.[1] The club was established as a continuation of Stade Africain, a local sporting association active between 1915 and 1918. During the French protectorate era, the club's founders established an identity centered on national heritage, selecting red and white as the primary club colours and ensuring an all-Tunisian management board.
The club earned promotion to Tunisia's top division in 1937 and won its first national league titles in back-to-back seasons (1946–47 and 1947–48).[4]
Domestic success and African glory (1960–1990s)
Following Tunisian independence, the club entered a golden era during the 1960s under Italian manager Fabio Roccheggiani, winning domestic titles and setting defensive benchmarks in the league. In 1971, Club Africain became the first Tunisian side to claim an international trophy by winning the Maghreb Cup Winners Cup.[5]
The crowning achievement in the club's history occurred in 1991. Managed by Romanian coach Ilie Balaci, Club Africain captured the 1991 African Cup of Champions Clubs, defeating Villa SC of Uganda 7–3 on aggregate in the final.[6] The club completed a quadruple during the 1991–92 season by winning the domestic league, national cup, African Champions League, and the Afro-Asian Club Championship against Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia.[7]
Recent history (2000s–present)
In the 21st century, Club Africain added further domestic honours, including league titles in 2007–08 and 2014–15,[4] as well as back-to-back Tunisian Cup victories in 2017 and 2018.[8]
Stadium
For decades, Club Africain hosted matches at the historic Stade El Menzah in Tunis. Since 2001, primary home matches for domestic and continental competitions have been hosted at the 65,000-capacity Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Radès.[2] The club's training ground and youth academy complex, known as Parc A, is situated near the Lake of Tunis.
Supporters and rivalries
Tunis Derby
The club shares a historic cross-town rivalry with Espérance Sportive de Tunis. The match between the two teams is known as the Tunis derby, representing one of North Africa's most prominent football fixtures.
Classic Rivalries
Club Africain maintains long-standing domestic rivalries with Étoile Sportive du Sahel and CS Sfaxien, forming part of the traditional "Big Four" in Tunisian football.
Crest and colours
Since its founding in 1920, the club has played in red and white vertical stripes, representing the national colours of Tunisia.
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
Honours
| Type | Competition | Titles | Winning Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 | 14 | 1946–47, 1947–48, 1963–64, 1966–67, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1995–96, 2007–08, 2014–15[4], 2025–26 |
| Tunisian Cup | 13 | 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1991–92, 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2016–17, 2017–18[8] | |
| Tunisian Super Cup | 3 | 1968, 1970, 1979 | |
| Continental | African Cup of Champions Clubs | 1 | 1991[6] |
| Regional | Arab Cup Winners' Cup | 1 | 1995 |
| Arab Champions League | 1 | 1997 | |
| North African Cup of Champions | 2 | 2008, 2010 | |
| Maghreb Cup Winners Cup | 1 | 1971[5] | |
| Maghreb Champions Cup | 3 | 1974, 1975, 1976 | |
| Intercontinental | Afro-Asian Club Championship | 1 | 1992[7] |
Current squad
- As of 4 September 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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