Club Africain Archives | The Big Tip Off

Gannouni, LeFriki setting a higher bar in the coming season

CLUB Africain, in late May, flipped the script in Tunisia’s Championnat Pro A championship, winning a fifth title in the Tunis-based club’s history. What made capturing the title sweeter for LeFriki was that it ended rival and finals opponents US Monastir’s six-year hegemony of the Pro A and earned them the prize of debuting at the BAL next year.

There was another element to the tale of Club Africain’s monumental success. Winning the league brought to an end the eight-year league title drought for one of Tunisia’s heralded clubs and its passionate fans. What made the journey of securing the trophy memorable for Club Africain was winning the five-game series, 3-1, in front of their supporters at their home arena, the Cherif Bellamine Gymnasium.

Twenty-eight-year-old small forward Achref Gannouni, a former Monastir player, says the fans provided the spark that lit the path to a decisive Game 4 victory.

“It’s always spectacular to play in front of the home fans. They have been with us from the start of the season right till the end,” said the four-time Pro A champion. “Winning in front of them was very special. The atmosphere they created was phenomenal, so the title is for them. As I said, from the beginning of the season they believed in us. We felt it, especially when we played at home. “

Gannouni Club Africain — **Achref Gannouni and Michael Dixon celebrate winning the Tunisia Pro A title. Pictures: Club Africain.**

Having ended the club’s long wait for the national championship, Gannouni felt ecstatic. “It feels amazing to win titles. I am happy for the club and the fans. What made it more special was that the club had waited for a long time to win. The joy is multiplied!” stated the Tunisian international.

On their way to the title, Club Africain won Game 1 of the series at Monastir’s Mzali Sports Hall. The forward says that the first-game victory against the nine-time league champs was the cushion LeFriki needed ahead of the remaining games.

“It was the key to the title for us. We knew if we won one game out of the two at Monastir’s home court, we would have a great chance of winning the series at our arena, and we were able to acheive that,” said Gannouni.

He also reflected on breaking the dominance of Monastir. For Gannouni, the victory had to do with more than who the opposition was; it was about feeding his and the team’s desire. “As an athlete, I always play to win. Achieving that goal every year is satisfying. It also makes me hungry. And it doesn’t matter which team we face,” he said.

Gannouni looks forward to the prospect of returning to play at the BAL after first experiencing it with Monastir two years ago.

“It meant a lot to us because it’s been part of our goal. We are looking forward to competing in it next year. Our journey doesn’t end at the qualification stage. We will be aiming for more,” proclaimed Gannouni.

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It may look like the season was smooth sailing for Gannouni and his teammates, but it was far from it. Players battling injury and the disappointment of losing the Tunisia Cup final to Monastir a week after clinching the league were part of the challenges to an otherwise celebratory season.

“Dealing with injuries was tough for us. Several players struggled with injuries, including me. It did affect the team’s chemistry because you are not playing as often as you would like. Luckily we have a good medical team. They got us ready for an important part of the season,” said Gannouni.

He also spoke about his own experience with injury during the season. “It was a bit tough. I had injuries that kept me out for two months. When I came back, I was stronger and helped my team to have a successful season. I was able to give everything for the team,” said Gannouni.

Part of the reason for Club Africain’s success was the togetherness, and Gannouni says this is the glue that should hold the team together in the coming season.

“Club Africain, this season was a family. We were all eager to win trophies together this year and bring joy to our fans. For the next season, we need to work hard and continue improving day after day to stay at the top,” said the former Rades player.

After the exertions of the past season, he’s now returned to social media. He felt he needed to focus a bit more to help the team be triumphant, and it has paid off.

“Going off social media is always a good thing to do. It helps to clear the mind and block out negativity. I knew that we were strong contenders to win trophies this year, so I needed to focus on the playoffs and the finals,” said Gannouni.

Next season will present a new canvas for Gannouni and Club Africain to write a new script. Having reached a milestone this year, they will prepare to exceed what they have already achieved.

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Dixon, Lefriki go through the fire to reach Pro A final

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MICHAEL Dixon Jr. is well-versed in the challenging road to winning trophies and how in-game elements like a stubborn opposition, a hostile or extreme home crowd, can sometimes disrupt a potential championship run. This was almost the case for Dixon and Club Africain in the Tunisian city of Kairouan.

The 34-year-old, who joined Lefriki in February, experienced a torrential path to his second Pro A final. After Club Africain won the first two games on their home court against JS Kairouan (JSK), the four-time champions had an initial forbidden experience at the hands of JSK’s fans, who used underhanded tactics to throw the American-born player and his teammates off their game.

A projectile thrown on the court by the home club’s fans exploded, causing the combo-guard and some of his teammates slight injuries. Following the 76-63 loss to JSK, he later posted a video recording of himself on IG going down on the court clutching his leg from the mini-explosion with the words, ‘I just came here to play some basketball, ‘ accompanying his video story.

Speaking to The Big Tip Off, Dixon voiced his displeasure at the incident, feeling that such an act could only serve to hold back the game in Tunisia.

“The year is 2025. We are playing a game. The fact that people can throw an explosive on the court is absurd. It should be addressed for the sake of basketball in this country,” said Dixon. “It’s a sport at the end of the day, not war. If the people want the sport to grow, this has to be removed from the game.”

Michael Dixon Club Africain — **Michael Dixon helped lead Club Africain to consecutive finals. Pictures: Supplied**

Dixon remarked that the dark arts of JSK’s fans were back in play during Game Four. Fortunately, his team held their nerve, sealed the series 3-1 on Sunday, and secured a second straight trip to the finals.

“There was more security in the fourth game, but the crowd still threw things on the court. It was very hard to warm up and get a good sweat going,” said Dixon. “… we just found a way to win. There are 12 good players in this team. We have a good coach. We just found a way to win.”

Dixon described the Pro A as one of the toughest leagues he’s played in. “We feel good and relieved. Our goal was to make it to the final. It’s been a long three-month journey. It hasn’t been easy. The Tunisian league is very difficult. I would put it at the top in terms of the toughest leagues to play in the Arab region,” said Dixon. “The fact that we are in the final is a tribute to our hard work, determination and teamwork. I would not say I’m happy. I am content… The job is far from done. But I am glad we are here.”

Dixon says he has been happy with his performances, which contributed to the team’s success during the regular season and the semi-final playoffs. “I feel good. The only team I have lost to since I have been here is JSK at their venue – twice. I feel like I have been doing my job. My job is to be a leader. I instil positive energy in the team. …and take shots when the opportunity arises.

“We are three wins away from a championship. And three wins away from a cup championship. So, I have been doing what I am supposed do since I got here.”

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With that turbulent semi-final done and dusted, his former club, US Monastir, with which he won the 2022 Basketball Africa League (BAL), the Pro A Championship and Cup title, lies in wait.

Dixon, the MVP 2022 BAL, recalled a time he played Monastir, 3-2 winners of their semi-final battle on Wednesday against Etoile du Sahel, immediately after a family bereavement. He expressed that he only had good memories of the Blue Empire. He shared that had established good relationships with fellow Blue Empire teammates during the 2022 season.

“A few weeks ago, I had to fly back home… My mother passed away. Coming back to Tunisia, the next game was against them. I don’t think I slept at all. We did win the game…,” said Dixon. “I spoke to Firas (Liyhani) and Sekka (Radhouane Slimane) before that game. They are always going to be my friends. We did something together that will be hard to match by winning the triple-crown. I will always have a special bond with those guys.”

Michael Dixon Jr and Club Africain — **Michael Dixon Jr will face his former club, US Monastir, in the Tunisian Pro A final.**

“If we play them, great and if we don’t, that’s ok too. What matters is how we conduct ourselves and how we compete,” Dixon remarked.

In the quest for a fifth Pro A title and a maiden qualification for the BAL, Club Africain and its fans will require Dixon’s business-like demeanour and approach in the best-of-five finals series. Having done the job for Monastir, confidence is probably high that a player of Dixon’s calibre can provide the key to unlocking the door to making history for Lefriki.

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Abada chasing domestic glory with Club Africain

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TUNISIAN virtuoso floor general Omar Abada returned home a year ago after spending two years in the Middle East, after being on what you could call a basketball pilgrimage. The point guard says those years spent between Saudi Arabia and Syria helped refine his game.

Abada, who joined the ambitious Club Africain last year, departed Tunisia after his then star-studded US Monastir team succumbed to an equally strong Zamalek in the inaugural Basketball Africa League final in 2021.

The quintessential point guard says the move to Al-Ittihad Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Al Wahda Damascus (Syria) was worth it for his career. He believes what he learnt in the Middle East has put him in a position to help Club Africain compete at home and qualify for continental competition.

“I enjoyed my experiences (in Saudi Arabia and Syria). I don’t regret the choice to play over there,” said the 31-year-old, speaking to The Big Tip Off. “There are aspects of my game that I wanted to improve on. Those two seasons away were crucial for my growth.

“I am the type of player who is never satisfied. I always want to do better. Any team I play for I must do a good job for them.”

Omar Abada in action for Club Africain — **Omar Abada says Club Africain has learnt from last season’s Championnat A finals mistakes. Pictures: Club Africain**

The two-time AfroBasket winner has since returned to Tunisia. He gave the reasons for returning and why he preferred his current club. “There were a couple of reasons why I came back home. One of them is to win the league and to qualify for the BAL,” said the Tunisian international. “I liked what their board presented to me. I could feel that they were motivated and wanted to win, that’s why I signed with them.”

Four-time league champion Abada and Club Africain came close to winning the Championnat A last season, but US Monastir stood in their way. He recalled the 3-2 Championnat A finals loss to the 2022 BAL champions.

“It was a very competitive final. Homecourt advantage was key. It was painful to lose the final after a five-game series. We gave it everything, but this is sport and only one team wins,” said Abada.

Club Africain, four-time league champions, is again in the throes of the playoffs and likely to compete in the domestic finals again. Abada is confident about the team’s title charge. He feels the lessons from the past and the arrival of new players have improved the club’s chances this year.

“We have a big chance to win the league this season. We have learnt from the mistakes we made in last year’s finals. Our roster has improved with the imports brought in and moves made locally,” said Abada.

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The signings Abada referred to are Montenegro big man Gligorije Rakocevic, who has played continental basketball in Europe for Mornar Bar and point Michael Dixon Jr, a BAL champion and MVP with US Monastir.

Al Lfriki also brought in former youth international Mohamed Selmi, who played for Tunisia at the 2016 U18 AfroBasket. The Seward County Saints player was a 2014 Basketball Without Borders All-Star and three-points champion.

Abada says the trio are part of a “special group of players.”

“We have great talents in the team and definitely a lot of quality. We are like a family. That is what makes us a special group of players,” said Abada.

On the day of the interview with Abada, Club Africain had a 5-1 record in the playoffs and stretched their record with another victory over DS Grombalia. Abada scored 12 points and had three assists in his club’s emphatic 96-48 win on Saturday. Before the match, he said winning on their opposition’s home court helped the team’s momentum.

“We have five wins in a row. A win will be good for our momentum because we have an objective. We have to play our best basketball to reach it. It is what we have been doing since the beginning of the season and it is what we are doing now in the playoffs,” said Abada.

Omar Abada in action of Club Africain — **Omar Abada believes three teams have a shot at the Championnat A title.**

US Monastir, his former employer, has been a dominant force in the last league for six years. This year again Monastir is among the contenders for the coveted Championnat A title. Can Abada and his teammates end the Blue Empire’s rampage?

Entering the final year of his contract, Abada expressed his determination to win while wearing Club Africain’s red and white striped jersey. However, he acknowledged there are at least three contenders in the race.

“Club Africain, US Monastir and JS Kairouan… We are all in. We all have a shot at the title,” said Abada. “It is a crucial season for the team and I. We have set ourselves a goal. We must play our best basketball to reach it.”

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