he cast of clubs for the group phase
of the latest edition of the African
Champions League has an all too
familiar look about it, with the
expected frontrunners well satisfied
with the draw and their pairings.
Al Ahly will be heavily fancied to advance from
Group A and be joined in the quarter-finals in May
by TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of
Congo and South African big-spenders Mamelodi
Sundowns (Group B); Wydad Casablanca of
Morocco (Group C) and Tunisians Esperance
and Zamalek from Egypt in Group D.Holders Al Ahly are still the team to beat, while South
African giants Kaizer Chiefs reach group stage for first timeAfrica
MARK GLEESONT
Determining the two other places will ensure some
intrigue in the six rounds of group action, which is
completed mid-April, but there is an overwhelming
sense that this will run
largely to form.
Ahly, seeking to
extend their record
tally of trophies in the
continent’s top club
competition
to ten, start at home against Al Merrikh of Sudan,
who have just appointed their second coach in a
matter of months. Serbian MiodragJesic – last seenHolders...Al Ahly
beat Cairo rivals
Zamalek in last
season’s finalCAF Champions
League kick-off
Chiefs’ progress to the group phase
for the first time comes amid their
worst-ever start to a domestic season