 Tunisia's two top clubs share the El Menzah |
The temperature has surged to 55 degrees Celsius and I am taking a walk down my street to get a newspaper here in Tunis.
When I take the stroll to my newspaper vendor every morning, I always have my small radio at hand in order to keep track of the latest news.
Tunisians must find my 'radio' habit weird as some of them tend to stare at me as I walk down the road.
But I have something much more serious to worry about - the intense and unforgiving heat of the Tunisian capital.
The continent's footballers are fortunate that they will not be subjected to this heat during the Nations Cup finals as temperatures drop considerably in January and February.
League kicks off
Tunisia's league championship began on Sunday and I was at the El Menzah stadium to watch visitors Club Sportive Sfaxien take on Club Africain.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, with Club Africain winning 2-1.
And as someone who lives in a neighbourhood 'infested' with Club Africain supporters, I could see first hand how pleased they were with the result.
 |  Supporters of the two biggest clubs in Tunis are clearly not fond of each other |
The fireworks, flairs and crackers that lit up the El Menzah provided an ambience that reminds me about everything I love about this great sport.
El Menzah is the temple of two football faiths - you are either a Clubiste (Club Africain) or an Esperantiste (Esperance Sportive).
Not surprisingly, supporters of the two biggest clubs in Tunis are clearly not fond of each other.
The sitting area for the opposing fans is clearly marked inside the stadium and they never venture into 'enemy territory'.
On Sunday, there was not a single Club Africain supporter who took a seat in the Esperance section, even though the stadium was not filled to capacity.
The first part of the league runs until December, when it will be suspended for the Nations Cup finals.
But until then, Tunisians will enjoy their domestic football, which never fails to generate controversy and excitement.
As a big fan of Tunisian football, I also have a team that I support but please, do not ask me to divulge this 'state secret'!
MMIX
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