ES Rades seek revenge against JS Kairouan in Tunisian derby

RADES (Tunisia) - Tunisian giants Etoile Sportive Rades will be playing for pride when they take on local rivals JS Kairouan on Saturday evening for a place in the FINAL FOUR of the Africa Basketball League 2019. 

The two-time African finalists are desperate to avenge their first leg narrow loss 69-68 to the "green army" who have in hand vowed to come to the party well armed.

Ziyed Chennoufi and Senegalese star Amadou Mbodji are expected to light up the Salle Tawfik Bouhima Rades and produce a thrilling performance to guide ES Rades to the Final Four of Africa's premier club basketball competition. 

The duo were very key to their unbeaten run in Group B and will be hoping to keep their title hopes alive when they come up against a very stubborn side with nothing much to lose but bragging rights. 

Debutants JS Kairouan have been relentless and have boasted of a never-give-up attitude in this competition and indeed the fearlessness of Maodo Nguirane  will come in handy for his side.

For the ES Rades fans, a face-off between Nguirane and Mbodji will set the stage of a beautiful night of basketball, worthy of all the drums and singing in the stands.

The stage has been set and whoever commands the paint could go all the way to the high table. 

Amadou Mbodji (Es Rades)

The winner of tonight's game will join the reigning champions AS Sale (Morocco), record eight-time African champions Primeiro de Agosto (Angola) and Smouha SC (Egypt) in the prestigious FINAL FOUR as they all eye the African crown.

Follow the game live on FIBA YouTube Channel on Saturday at 18:00 GMT +1.

FIBA