CAIRO — Defending champions Al-Ahly of Egypt has been drawn in a difficult Group C in the pool stages of the 2024-25 African Champions League where they must negotiate South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, CR Belouizdad from Algeria and Stade d’Abidjan of Côte d’Ivoire.
It is likely to be a tightly contested group with record 12-time winners Ahly having not always shown their best form in the pool stages in recent years, despite lifting the trophy in four of the previous five editions, Reuters reported.
Ahly is the team to beat in the premier African club competition as they seek a historic third straight title having won the past two finals.
The group stage gets under way on the weekend of Nov. 26-27, with the final matches to be played on Jan. 17-18.
The Cairo Red Devils, coached by Swiss Marcel Koller, are unbeaten in 24 Champions League matches since a humiliating 5-2 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa early last year.
They created a Champions League record last season by conceding only one goal in 14 matches en route to winning the competition an unprecedented 12th time.
The achievement was reached despite the lengthy absence of injured goalkeeper and captain Mohamed el-Shenawy with Mostafa Shobeir deputising in nine matches.
Ahly and Pirates met in the 2013 Champions League final with the Egyptians winning 2-0 in Cairo after drawing 1-1 in Soweto.
With the top two sides in each pool advancing to the quarter-finals, Group B also looks a tight one with South African side Mamelodi Sundowns pitted against the wily Moroccan duo of Raja Casablanca and AS FAR.
Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo is the fourth team in the pool.
Their compatriots Tout Puissant Mazembe, who is five-time African champions, headline Group A along with Young Africans of Tanzania, Sudan´s Al Hilal and MC Alger from Algeria.
Last year´s beaten finallists Esperance of Tunisia will expect to advance from Group D, where they face will Pyramids FC from Egypt, Angola´s Sagrada Esperanca and Djoliba AC of Mali.
Belouizdad will be making a fifth straight group-stage appearance while 1966 champions Stade Abidjan returned to the competition this season after a 54-year absence, AFP reported.
Sundowns, semifinalists in the last two editions, face Moroccan clubs Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat and Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group B.
Chasing a second title after defeating Zamalek of Egypt in the 2016 final, Sundowns recently bolstered their attack by signing South African international Iqraam Rayners.
Young Africans of Tanzania, unlucky quarterfinals losers to Sundowns last season, are in Group A with TP Mazembe of DR Congo, Al Hilal of Sudan and Mouloudia Alger of Algeria.
The Dar es Salaam outfit is coached by Argentine Miguel Gamondi and boasts an outstanding midfielder in Burkina Faso international Stephane Aziz Ki, who scored four goals in qualifiers.
Zamalek to face Enyimba in Confed Cup group stage
The 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup group stage promises thrilling action after title holders Zamalek were drawn to face Nigerian giants Enyimba following the Group Stage draw.
Several former champions, including USM Alger, Zamalek SC, and RS Berkane are involved in the group stage this year as they gear up for fierce competition.
The Egyptian side Zamalek was also placed in the same group as their compatriot Al Masry and Black Bulls in what promises to be an exciting Group D.
Zamalek SC is seeking to add another CAF Confederation Cup to their illustrious history but face a tricky group, cafonline.com reported.
Group B features former champions RS Berkane of Morocco, who will look to excel against Mali’s Stade Malien, CD Lundal Sul, and South African debutants Stellenbosch.
Berkane is tipped by some as favourites to advance, but their challengers are determined to disrupt the status quo.
Group C includes former champions USM Alger from Algeria, who will battle ASEC Mimosas, ASC Jaraaf and Orapa United.
With USM Alger’s pedigree and ASEC’s ambition, this group is expected to deliver high-quality football with ASC Jaraaf and Orapa United proving to be no pushovers.
Group A is arguably the “Group of Death,” featuring Simba SC of Tanzania, CS Sfaxien from Tunisia, and Algerian powerhouses CS Constantine.
Angola’s Bravos do Maquis complete the group, but the focus will be on the heavyweight clashes among Simba, Sfaxien, and CS Constantine, all of whom have serious continental credentials.
The group stage kicks off in November, setting the stage for some of Africa’s biggest clubs to chase TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup glory.
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