Esperance are in the process of building a new team for yet another assault on the African title next year.

The Tunisian giants, losing Champions League finalists in 1999 and 2000, had their hopes of success dashed this year when they lost their final group match against Zamalek.

Since their elimination, the 'Sang et Or" (Blood and Gold), have sold Taoufik Hammami and Bechir Sahbani to CA Bizerte, and received defender Mohamed Guizani in return.

They have taken Liberian international striker Frank Seator on trial, with a view to buying him from his current club in Qatar.

Tunisian press reports say that star striker Ali Zitouni and Mourad Melki could be headed to Europe when the transfer window opens up in January.

Zitouni is earmarked for a move to Portugal, after he scored Tunisia's goal in their 1-1 draw with the 2004 European Championship hosts in October.

The German Bundesliga is a possible destination for Melki, following the footsteps of Tunisian internationals Zoubeir Baya, Adel Sellimi and Mehdi Ben Slimane.

Kandia Traore, Oumar Sane and Rafiu Salawudeen, Esperance's African imports, could be casualties of the player clearout.