Wolwalo were originally scheduled to host the first leg at Dire Dawa Stadium, but the club has accepted an offer from Al Ahli Tripoli to stage both matches in the Libyan capital.
Financial difficulties influence decision
Wolwalo said in an official statement that budgetary challenges facing the Adigrat City Administration and Adigrat University had made it difficult to finance the club's continental campaign.
The club explained that the current circumstances in the Tigray region have affected the ability of its principal financial backers to meet their obligations.
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Wolwalo therefore opted for an arrangement that will provide financial compensation while also generating income through broadcasting rights and stadium revenue associated with the matches.
Wolwalo sacrifice home advantage
The agreement means Wolwalo will lose the traditional advantage of playing one of the two legs in front of their home supporters.
However, the Ethiopian club believes the financial benefits of the arrangement will provide valuable support for its 2026/27 Ethiopian Premier League campaign.
The exact financial terms of the agreement with Al Ahli Tripoli have not been disclosed.
Third Ethiopian club to adopt similar approach
Wolwalo are not the first Ethiopian club to make such an arrangement in recent years.
Saint George previously used a similar strategy when facing Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League, while Ethiopian Insurance did likewise against Pyramids.
Wolwalo have now become the third Ethiopian club to move a CAF tie abroad under a similar financial arrangement.
Wolwalo earned their place in the second round
Wolwalo reached this stage after a dramatic first-round tie against Sudanese club Hilal Alsahil.
After losing the first leg 2-1 in Kigali, Wolwalo won the return match 2-1 to level the aggregate score at 3-3 before prevailing 4-1 on penalties.
Their reward is a meeting with Al Ahli Tripoli, who advanced after a dominant 7-0 aggregate victory over Zanzibar's KMKM.
A historic continental campaign
Wolwalo are representing Ethiopia in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup after winning their first major domestic trophy.
The Adigrat-based club defeated Sidama Coffee 2-0 in the Ethiopian Cup final in July, becoming the first club from the Tigray Regional State to win the competition.
The club will now travel to Libya for both meetings with Al Ahli Tripoli, hoping that the financial benefits of the unusual arrangement can help sustain its historic continental adventure while keeping the club financially stable.