CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND CONFEDERATIONS CUP: THE ROAD TO CONTINENTAL GLORY

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

The men have been separated from the boys as the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stages draw took place at the Supersport Studios in Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday afternoon.

With two teams from Egypt (Al Ahly SC and Pyramids), one team from South Africa (Mamelodi Sundowns), two teams from Algeria (MC Alger and JS Kabyilie), two teams from Tanzania (Simba SC and Young Africans SC), one team from Sudan (Al Hilal), two teams from Morocco (AS Far Rabat and RS Berkane), one team from the DRC (FC St. Eloi Lupopo), one team from Nigeria (Rivers United), one team from Zambia (Power Dynamos FC), one team from Angola (Athletico Petroleos), one team from Mali (Stade Malien), and one team from Tunisia (Esperancé Sportive de Tunis), set to battle to become the ultimate champion of the continent.

Finalists Mamelodi Sundowns have been drawn in group C, an interesting draw where they stand to face Sudanese giants Al Hilal, a hostile trip to the DRC to square off against FC St. Eloi Lupopo and then wrap up the group by facing Algerian side MC Alger, which is led by former coach in Rhulani Mokwena, who also, will be looking to give it his all together with his side when they make a trip to South Africa.

Meanwhile, semifinalists Al Ahly SC have been drawn in group B where they will battle it out against Tanzanian giants Young Africans, a trip to Morocco to face AS Far Rabat and then wrap up their group stage journey with a trip to Algeria to lock horns with JS Kabyilie.

Reigning champions Pyramids FC will have a tough task in their title defence journey as they are to battle against RS Berkane, a team they just beat to claim the CAF Super Cup title, a trip to Nigeria to face River United and then conclude with a trip to Zambia to face Power Dynamos FC.

Elsewhere, in the CAF Confederations Cup, Kaizer Chiefs have returned to Inter-club competitions since their last showing in the champions league back in 2020/21. They have been drawn in what is deemed as the group of death, group D where they will look to rewrite the history books and reignite their rivalry with former winners Zamalek, make another trip to Cairo to face Al Masry and then wrap their group stages journey with a trip to Zambia to square off against Zesco United, a team they will look to beat as they are just to defeat a Zambian team in Inter-club competitions.

Semifinalists Stellenbosch FC will look to have a second bite of the apple by going all the way to the final. They have been drawn in group C, where they will face CR Belouizdad, a trip to the central Africa to face AS Otoho before concluding with a trip to East Africa to lock horns against Singida Black Stars.

In the eyes of Stellies, this campaign represents a chance to continue their remarkable rise in African football, while Chiefs will be determined to restore their continental reputation after several seasons of near misses.