Stade Tunisien win but crash out as OC Safi reach TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage

Moroccan side OC Safi secured their passage to the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage despite suffering a 2–1 defeat to Stade Tunisien in Radès on Saturday night.

The Tunisians produced a brave and dominant display at the Hamadi Agrebi Stadium, but their efforts were not enough to overturn the 2–0 first-leg deficit, meaning OC Safi progressed 3–2 on aggregate to reach the next round for the first time in their history.

Buoyed by an electric home crowd, Chokri Khatoui’s men began on the front foot, pouring forward in search of an early breakthrough.

Firas Ifia and Amine Allah Haboubi both came close within the opening 20 minutes, forcing decisive saves from the Moroccan goalkeeper as Safi’s defence stood firm under heavy pressure.

The visitors, though largely pinned back, had their moments on the counter, with Noureddine Farhati producing a fine stop to deny them in the 18th minute.

The home side’s persistence finally paid off midway through the second half when Amado Ndiaye was brought down inside the area and converted the resulting penalty to ignite belief among Tunisian fans.

However, the visitors struck a decisive blow in the 85th minute as Anass Eddaou capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot home the equaliser, all but sealing OC Safi’s aggregate advantage.

Skander Seghaier restored Stade Tunisien’s lead deep into stoppage time, but it proved too late to alter the outcome.

Despite the heartbreak of elimination, Stade Tunisien departed the competition with pride, having shown courage, discipline, and attacking intent.

For OC Safi, the narrow defeat was a small price to pay for a historic qualification that keeps Morocco’s strong presence alive in continental football.