Marchand guided Etoile to their first Champions League title

Etoile du Sahel coach Bertrand Marchand says preparation will be key to his team's chances in the Fifa Club World Cup.

The Tunisians won their first Caf Champions League title in early November when they defeated Al Ahly of Egypt in the final.

They are hoping the momentum of that win and a pre-tournament training camp in South Korea means they are ready for quarter-final opponent CF Pachuca of Mexico on Sunday.

"I think we are better prepared than anyone else," Marchand said Wednesday.

"I'm aware that our opponents are a good team from Mexico and that football is developing in that area, but in our continent football is developing fast."

The tournament, which runs from 7-16 December, features the champions of Fifa's continental club competitions.

Italian giants AC Milan, South American champions Boca Juniors of Argentina, Asian winners Urawa Reds of Japan are some of the clubs playing in the tournament.

Asian runner-up Sepahan of Iran and Oceania winner Waitekere United of New Zealand are the other clubs participating.

Marchand said football in Africa is making great strides.

"Tunisian football is growing bigger in Africa and many players from Africa are playing in Europe, he said

"Our style of football is lively and aggressive, we play fast football and are getting closer to European football."

Etoile plays Concacaf champion Pachuca on Sunday and the winner faces Boca in the last four, with the final in Yokohama on 16 December.

Brazil's Internacional beat European powerhouse Barcelona 1-0 in last year's final.