In a surprising yet strategic move, the Somali club, Dekedaha SC, has opted to play its African Champions League home match against Esperance de Tunis in Rades. This decision, which may seem counterintuitive at first glance, can be explained by several factors.

Firstly, Dekedaha SC is unable to host international matches in Somalia. None of the country's stadiums meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards for such high-profile fixtures. This is not a new predicament for the Somali club, who were forced to play their preliminary round match away from home. Dekedaha faced AS Arta Solar 7 of Djibouti in Tanzania, specifically at the eerily empty Dar es Salaam Stadium.

Faced with this constraint, Dekedaha's management has shown pragmatism by choosing Rades as the venue for their home match against Esperance. This choice, far from being trivial, is primarily driven by financial considerations. By playing in Tunisia, they can make a double saving: firstly, they only need to travel once for both legs of the tie, which are scheduled a week apart. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, they hope to benefit from a share of the matchday revenue.

Make no mistake, this match is sure to attract a large crowd of Esperance supporters, creating an electric atmosphere at the Rades stadium. It is precisely this attendance that the Somali officials are eyeing, as they see it as an opportunity to generate much-needed income for their club.

For Esperance de Tunis, this decision is naturally welcomed with enthusiasm. Playing both legs at home is a significant advantage that the Blood and Gold could never have hoped for. It provides them with ideal conditions to approach this double-header, with the backing of their fans for both matches.

The first leg of this unprecedented clash will take place on Sunday, September 15th at 5:00 PM at the Rades Stadium. There is no doubt that Esperance supporters will be out in force to cheer their team to victory in what promises to be a surreal atmosphere, where the nominal home team will likely feel more like visitors.

In conclusion, while this situation may seem unusual, it perfectly illustrates the logistical and financial challenges faced by some African clubs. For Dekedaha SC, this choice represents a pragmatic short-term solution, but also highlights the need for Somalia to develop sports infrastructure that meets international standards. As for Esperance de Tunis, they must seize this unique opportunity to secure qualification and continue their journey in the African Champions League.