The Enchanted Suburb of Radès: The Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium

In a tale of transformation, Radès, once a simple suburb, has been enchanted to become the Cradle of North African Football. This enchantment came in the form of the Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium, a grand 60,000-seat arena, built in 2001 for the Mediterranean Games. It has since remained a testing ground for the finest African football teams, shimmering under the moon’s gaze. The stadium, initially named Stade 7 November, was opened in July 2001 during the 2000-01 Tunisian Cup final between CS Hammam-Lif and Étoile du Sahel (1-0).

This architectural marvel was designed by French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, featuring a unique translucent 'umbrella roof. The moonlight flows into the stadium through this design, making it a coveted venue for international tournaments. The stadium is celebrated for its practicality and comfort for spectators. After the Mediterranean Games, the Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium continued to serve as a hub for football matches. It has hosted various African Cup of Nations games, CAF Champions League finals, and even the CAF Super Cup.

In 2010, the Trophée des champions match between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain was held in the stadium. After the revolution in 2011, the stadium was renamed the Radès Olympic Stadium. In 2020, it was renamed once more in honor of the renowned Tunisian footballer Hammadi Agrebi, now known as the Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium. The CAF Confederation Cup has seen multiple matches played in the stadium, including the 2011 final between Club Africain and Maghreb de Fès and the 2013 final between CS Sfaxien and TP Mazembe.

The stadium has hosted two CAF Super Cup matches: the 2008 edition between Étoile du Sahel and CS Sfaxien, and the 2012 edition between Esperance de Tunis and Maghreb de Fès.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons