Esperance target Africa's Asian football jinx

Tunisian club Esperance must end Asia's dominance over Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup if they are to realise their ambition of facing Spanish maestros Barcelona in the semi-finals. Asian and African teams have clashed four times in the annual, end-of-year championship and Raja Casablanca of Morocco, Al-Ahly of Egypt, Etoile Sahel of Tunisia and TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo all flopped. Trail-blazers Raja fell 4-3 to Al-Nasr in the inaugural tournament 10 years ago and the first appearance of the legendary Ahly resulted in an early exit after losing 1-0 to another Saudi Arabian club, Al-Ittihad. Etoile went down to Japanese hosts Urawa Red Diamonds on penalties in the 2007 third-place play-off, and Mazembe lost 2-1 to Pohang Steelers from South Korea two years ago, although they made it to the final last December. So it was surprising that Esperance players like CAF Champions League final match-winner Harrison Afful spoke more of Barcelona than quarter-final rivals Al-Sadd of Qatar in the Club World Cup build-up. The clubs clash in Toyota Sunday with Japan once again welcoming the club champions from the six FIFA regions, plus J-League winners Kashiwa Reysol as representatives of the host nation. "I am looking forward to playing against Barcelona," 25-year-old Ghana-born Afful told reporters after scoring the lone goal of the two-leg African final against Wydad Casablanca from Morocco. "It is going to be great and memorable," he continued, as if the 'Blood and Gold' had already secured a last-four slot. "Barcelona have a great team and playing them comes with a lot of pressure." Only then did he turn his attention to the Qataris, whose squad has three Africans in Algerian defender Nadir Belhadj and strikers Abdul Kader Keita of Ivory Coast and Mamadou Niang from Senegal. "We should take one step at a time," he cautioned. "We have to focus on winning our first match against Al-Sadd before thinking of a match-up with Barcelona." But the Barca bug has also got to officials of the most successful Tunisian football club -- in domestic and international competitions -- judged by the remarks of club president Riadh Bennour after the draw was made. "Everyone is expecting the final to be between Barcelona and Santos, but maybe they can watch a final between Esperance and Santos instead. We will try to make it happen -- that is for sure." The Club World Cup could mark the end of a magical year as coach for former Esperance midfielder Nabil Maaloul amid reports he will soon step down from one of the most stressful African football posts. "Taking part in the Club World Cup is the crowning glory for me after winning the CAF Champions League and the domestic championship and cup double," said the 49-year-old ex-national team star. "We have a good attacking approach and a number of players who can make a difference at any given moment. Our defensive organisation is also good. We work as a team with our first defenders being the strikers." Not that there may be too many strikers about with Maaloul often favouring a flexible 4-5-1 formation, leaving Cameroonian Yannick Ndjeng up front while support comes from wide midfielders Youssef Msakni and Wajdi Bouazzi. Attack-conscious captain Ousama Darragi is the playmaker and Mejdi Traoui and Khaled Korbi the midfield 'enforcers' who protect a back four that may comprise Afful, Banana Yaya from Cameroon, Qualid Hichri and Khelil Chamam. Behind them stands 20-year-old goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia, a worthy successor to the great Chokri al-Ouaer, who conceded just six goals in 14 matches en route to CAf Champions League glory.