CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw: Al Ahly to Face Orlando Pirates
Title-holders Al Ahly of Egypt will face Orlando Pirates of South Africa after both were placed in Group C during the CAF Champions League group-stage draw held on Monday. Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria and Stade Abidjan of the Ivory Coast complete the section following the draw at the Confederation of African Football offices in Cairo.
Ahly are the team to beat in this premier African club competition as they seek a historic third straight title, having won the past two finals. The Cairo Red Devils, coached by Swiss Marcel Koller, remain unbeaten in 24 Champions League matches since a significant 5-2 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa early last year.
The team set a Champions League record last season by conceding only one goal in 14 matches en route to their unprecedented 12th title victory. This achievement came despite the lengthy absence of injured goalkeeper and captain Mohamed el Shenawy, with Mostafa Shobeir stepping in for nine matches.
Ahly and Pirates previously met in the 2013 Champions League final, where the Egyptians triumphed 2-0 in Cairo after a 1-1 draw in Soweto.
Chabab Belouizdad will be making their fifth straight group-stage appearance, while 1966 champions Stade Abidjan return to the competition this season after a 54-year absence.
In Group B, Mamelodi Sundowns, semifinalists in the last two editions, will compete against Moroccan clubs Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat, along with Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sundowns are chasing a second title after defeating Zamalek of Egypt in the 2016 final and have recently strengthened their attack by signing South African international Iqraam Rayners.
Young Africans of Tanzania, who were unfortunate quarterfinal losers to Sundowns last season, find themselves in Group A with TP Mazembe of DR Congo, Al Hilal of Sudan, and Mouloudia Alger of Algeria. Coached by Argentine Miguel Gamondi, Young Africans feature standout midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki from Burkina Faso, who scored four goals in the qualifiers.
Group Draw
Group A: TP Mazembe (COD), Young Africans (TAN), Al Hilal (SUD), Mouloudia Alger (ALG)
Group B:Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA), Raja Casablanca (MAR), FAR Rabat (MAR), Maniema Union (COD)
Group C: Al Ahly (EGY, holders), Chabab Belouizdad (ALG), Orlando Pirates (RSA), Stade Abidjan (CIV)
Group D Esperance (TUN), Pyramids (EGY), Sagrada Esperanca (ANG), Djoliba (MLI)
Matchdays
– Nov 26-27
– Dec 6-7
– Dec 13-14
– Jan 3-4, 2025
– Jan 10-11
– Jan 17-18
Note: Group winners and runners-up will qualify for the quarterfinals.
