---- — CAF Cup holders, Etoile Sahel of Tunisia have a tough hurdle to beat to retain their title, as they travel to Algeria for a quarter-final clash against Algerian side, Jeunesse Sportive Kabylie.
Etoile were the first North African side to win the Confederation of Africa Football Cup in 1995, the less prestigious of the three continental club championships.
Despite its rank among the other two African Cups, JS Kabylie are aiming to clinch the CAF Cup, which is the only trophy that has eluded them since its inception in 1992.
Kabilye are two times winners of the Champions Cup and in 1995 added the Cup Winners Cup to their collection of titles.
Algiers is one of the most intimidating venues for visiting teams, but Etoile have completed their preparations for the match with a confidence boosting 3-1 win over Belgian club, Charleroi in a friendly.
The Tunisians, however, will be without their injured Brazilian, Gilmar and national team striker, Zied Jaziri, who is suspended for bookings in previous matches.
The Algerians are just back from a training camp in St. Etienne, in France, as part of their preparations for the Algerian league and the CAF Cup quarter-final tie.
Egyptian club, Ismailia are the other North African club in contention for the CAF Cup. Ismailias experience in continental football is expected to give them the edge over Ghanaian side Ebusua Dwarfs.
Dwarfs, however, are capable of causing an upset in the two legs after beating former African Champions, Wydad Casablanca in the previous round.
The winner between Dwarfs and Ismailia is scheduled to meet Cameroons Cotonsport Garoua or Ivorian side, Stade dAbidjan in the semi-finals. The Ivorians play as hosts to Cotonsport in Abidjan on Sunday.
Nchanga Rangers of Zambia are also at home to beleaguered Nigerian side, Iwuanyanwu Nationale and the winner after the second-leg in two weeks time, take on the survivor of the North African derby involving Etoile and JS Kabylie.
Weekend Quarter-Final Fixtures:
Stade Abidjan (Ivory Coast) v Cotonsport Garoua (Cameroon)
Ismailia(Egypt) v Ebusua Mysterious Dwarfs (Ghana) ]
Jeunesse Sportive Kabylie (Algeria) v Etoile Sahel (Tunisia)
Nchanga Rangers (Zambia) v Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Nigeria)
First leg: Aug 4-6, second: Aug 18-20
PREVIOUS WINNERS
1992 - Shooting Stars (Nigeria)
1993 - Stella Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
1994 - Bendel Insurance (Nigeria)
1995 - Etoile Sahel (Tunisia)
1996 - Kawkab Marrakech (Morocco)
1997 - Esperance (Tunisia)
1998 - CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
1999 - Etoile Sahel (Tunisia)
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