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The draw for the group stage of the CAF Champions League was held on Wednesday, placing Tunisian club Espérance de Tunis in Group A and Moroccan side Nahda Barkan in Group C. The draw also confirmed the groupings for the other three groups. ### Group compositions – Group A – Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Petro Atlético (Angola), Nouadhibou (Mauritania), Wydad (Angola) – Group B – Zamalek (Egypt), Young Africans (Tanzania), USM Alger (Algeria), Al‑Ahly (Tunisia) – Group C – Nahda Barkan (Morocco), Simba (Tanzania), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Colombe Sportive (Cameroon) – Group D – Pyramids (Egypt), Al‑Hilal (Sudan), Horoya (Guinea), Moghreb Fès (Morocco) The group stage will run from late November to the end of January, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout phase in February. ### Context from the previous season Espérance entered the competition as the defending champions, having lost 2‑0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2023 final. Nahda Barkan, who finished third in the 2023 golden quadrant, was eliminated by Al‑Ahly 2‑1 in the quarter‑finals. Both clubs are the only teams from the previous season’s top four that remain in the group stage. ### Coaches’ remarks Mohammed Amin El Nifati, assistant coach of Espérance, told Reuters that the team aims to finish first in Group A and advance to the round of 16. “The fixtures will not be easy,” he said, noting that Petro Atlético is a quality side with continental experience. El Nifati added that travel will be challenging, especially the trip to Mauritania, but that Espérance’s experience should help them cope. Al‑Ahly coach Maher Kenzari expressed optimism about his side’s chances in Group B. “The draw has produced balanced groups,” he said. “All teams have a realistic chance, and we will prepare thoroughly to achieve our objectives.” Kenzari also mentioned that the schedule is largely manageable, except for the longest journey to Tanzania. ### Notable fixtures Zamalek will open its group campaign at home against Al‑Ahly in late November and will finish the group stage at home against USM Alger in Cairo in January. Pyramids, the 2024‑25 champions, top Group D and will face Al‑Hilal, Horoya and Moghreb Fès in the remaining matches. The draw has set the stage for a competitive group phase, with several clubs carrying strong recent performances and ambitions to progress to the knockout rounds. Article source: Al Awsat | Image credit: Al Awsat
The draw for the group stage of the CAF Champions League was held on Wednesday, placing Tunisian club Espérance de Tunis in Group A and Moroccan side Nahda Barkan in Group C. The draw also confirmed the groupings for the other three groups. ### Group compositions – Group A – Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Petro Atlético (Angola), Nouadhibou (Mauritania), Wydad (Angola) – Group B – Zamalek (Egypt), Young Africans (Tanzania), USM Alger (Algeria), Al‑Ahly (Tunisia) – Group C – Nahda Barkan (Morocco), Simba (Tanzania), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Colombe Sportive (Cameroon) – Group D – Pyramids (Egypt), Al‑Hilal (Sudan), Horoya (Guinea), Moghreb Fès (Morocco) The group stage will run from late November to the end of January, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout phase in February. ### Context from the previous season Espérance entered the competition as the defending champions, having lost 2‑0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2023 final. Nahda Barkan, who finished third in the 2023 golden quadrant, was eliminated by Al‑Ahly 2‑1 in the quarter‑finals. Both clubs are the only teams from the previous season’s top four that remain in the group stage. ### Coaches’ remarks Mohammed Amin El Nifati, assistant coach of Espérance, told Reuters that the team aims to finish first in Group A and advance to the round of 16. “The fixtures will not be easy,” he said, noting that Petro Atlético is a quality side with continental experience. El Nifati added that travel will be challenging, especially the trip to Mauritania, but that Espérance’s experience should help them cope. Al‑Ahly coach Maher Kenzari expressed optimism about his side’s chances in Group B. “The draw has produced balanced groups,” he said. “All teams have a realistic chance, and we will prepare thoroughly to achieve our objectives.” Kenzari also mentioned that the schedule is largely manageable, except for the longest journey to Tanzania. ### Notable fixtures Zamalek will open its group campaign at home against Al‑Ahly in late November and will finish the group stage at home against USM Alger in Cairo in January. Pyramids, the 2024‑25 champions, top Group D and will face Al‑Hilal, Horoya and Moghreb Fès in the remaining matches. The draw has set the stage for a competitive group phase, with several clubs carrying strong recent performances and ambitions to progress to the knockout rounds.
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