Algerian champions Entente Setif will be without their top scorer Abdelmalek Ziaya for the second leg of the finals of the African Confederation Cup final.
Ziaya who has scored 15 goals in the competition is suspended for Saturday's game against Stade Malien of Mali.
The Algerian club take a 2-0 advantage into the game
Setif will also miss striker Rafik Bouderbal who was not registered in time for the Cup
The 25-year-old Ziaya scored both goals in the first leg but his coach Ali Mechiche says his absence will not deter Entente as they seek a first African title in 21 years.
"The suspension of Abdelmalek will not change our game plan as there are equally good replacements available to me," he said. "We play as a team and do not rely on a single individual."
Ziaya must now settle for a seat at the 50,000-capacity Bamako stadium, but he has already created history in the second-tier African club competition by becoming the most prolific leading scorer.
Eric Bekoe from Asante Kotoko of Ghana and Tresor Mputu Mabi from Tout Puissant Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo shared the leading scorer record with 10 goals apiece.
Although Malien remain underdogs as they seek to become the first club from the West African state to win an African club competition, 'The Whites' will draw hope from an impressive home record.
Of five victories, four were by two-goal margins, including a 4-2 win over Enppi of Egypt, who inflicted the only home defeat on Entente during the competition.
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