Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Primeiro de Agosto crowned African Club Championship winners

With the 43rd CAHB Men's and Women's African Club Championship held from 30 September to 9 October, the most decorated team in the history of Tunisian handball, Espérance Sportive de Tunis, cemented their legacy last week, securing the CAHB Men's African Club Championship trophy for the second time, breaking a nine-year wait. In the women's competition, Primeiro de Agosto claimed their seventh consecutive title, continuing Angolan dominance.

Tunis win CAHB Men's African Club Championship 

The 2022 CAHB Men's African Club Championship was held in Hammamet, Tunisia with 10 teams at the start, divided into two groups, with each group boasting two powerhouses, one from each Tunisia and Egypt.

In Group A, Tunisian side Club Africain swept their opponents, including rivals Zamalek SC, to seal the first place. In contrast, in Group B, Egyptian side Al Ahly SC finished with eight points after their clear win against Espérance Sportive de Tunis, 28:21.

 

 

The path to the title was no east feature for Tunis, who had a massive scare in the quarter-finals, where they secured a 26:25 win against MC Alger, setting up a vast Tunisian derby in the semi-finals against the previously undefeated Club Africain.

However, Espérance Sportive de Tunis was unstoppable, taking a clear 30:22 win against their rivals, while the other semi-final was a 100% Egyptian affair, with Zamalek facing Al Ahly SC. Zamalek took a 26:25 win, qualifying for the final with a goal scored with only 30 seconds to go, where they stood little chance against Tunis.

Tunis completed a tremendous treble, adding to the trophies won in the Arab Handball Championship of Champions and the Tunisian Cup in the space of less than one month – underlining the excellent form displayed by Bassem Sabki’s side – with a clear 28:24 win, as Espérance stopped a five-trophy streak by Egyptian sides Zamalek and Al Ahly, dating back to 2015.

Al Ahly secured the bronze medal with a 30:22 win against Club Africain.

Angola dominate CAHB Women's African Club Championship

The CAHB Women's African Club Championship also took place in Hammamet, Tunisia. Primeiro de Agosto once again clinched the trophy, extending Angola’s domination in the competition to an unprecedented 27 titles, celebrating 24 titles in a row.

It was Primeiro de Agosto’s seventh consecutive trophy, sealed by an impressive outing in the tournament, winning all the matches they had, including the final against rivals and record champions Petro Atletico, 29:24.

Primeiro now stands second in the all-time standings, with seven trophies, 12 less than Petro Atletico, who won 17 titles in a row between 1997 and 2013.

Tunisian side CSF Moknine finished third, with a 26:24 win in the bronze-medal game against Congolese side DGSP.

Photos: Atef Ammari