Intense action awaits as CAF Champions League group stage commences
There will be six matches on the opening weekend, as the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League kicks off on Friday.
Defending champions Wydad Athletic Club and last season’s losing finalists Al Ahly will not be involved this weekend as they have just concluded their participation at the Fifa Club World Cup which is on in Morocco.
Arguably, the biggest match of the opening weekend will be in Cairo where five time champions Zamalek take on Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in what is expected to be a feisty North African derby.
Zamalek did not make it past the group stage last season and are keen to make amends. Starting off with a win will be top of their agenda. Belouizdad reached the quarters last season and are keen to get off the groups again.
Across the border in Morocco, Raja Club Athletic will take on debutants Vipers SC from Uganda. Three time champions Raja topped their group last season but lost to Ahly in the quarters.
Vipers are making their first ever appearance in the group stage and under new Brazilian coach Roberto Bianchi.
Their former coach Roberto Oliveira decamped across the border to Tanzania where he joined Simba SC and he will make his continental bow with Wekundu Wa Msimbazi away in Guinea with a bout against Horoya.
Down in South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns who finished unbeaten in the group phase last season will start off the new season against familiar foes, Al Hilal. Downs and Hilal face off in the groups last season, winning both home and away ties; 1-0 in South Africa and 4-2 in Omdurman.
This season, Hilal are under the stewardship of revered African coach Florent Ibenge, who joined them after winning the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup with RS Berkane of Morocco.
Their local rivals Al Merrikh will also be away taking on Esperance in Tunisia while in the other fixture of the opening weekend, Petro de Luanda will be at home against JS Kabylie of Algeria.
