African giants Ahly and Raja to clash in CAF Cup

Ahly have won a record 25 African titles from 1982, including the CAF Champions League 12 times. Raja lifted the Champions League trophy three times, and five other African titles.

CAF Confederation Cup title favourites Al Ahly of Egypt were paired with fellow giants Raja Casablanca of Morocco when the group-stage draw was made in Cairo on Wednesday.

Ahly have won a record 25 African titles from 1982, including the CAF Champions League 12 times. Raja lifted the Champions League trophy three times, and five other African titles.

The Cairo and Casablanca outfits will be expected to occupy the top two places and reach the quarter-finals from Group A, which includes ASKO Kara of Togo and Primeiro Agosto of Angola.

FAR Rabat, the other Moroccan challengers in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League, are in Group B with AZAM of Tanzania, Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya and Durban City of South Africa.

South African FA Cup winners Durban are the only debutants in the Confederation Cup this season to reach the group stage.

Durban, Ahly Tripoli and Primeiro Agosto won all four matches in the qualifying phase of the competition.

Title-holders USM Alger of Algeria, who beat Zamalek of Egypt after a lengthy penalty shootout in the last final, are in Group D.

They will face record-equalling three-time Confederation Cup winners CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, Black Bulls from Mozambique and Real Bamako of Mali.

Hafia of Guinea have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after losing to Douanes of Mauritania in the first qualifying round.

The Guineans claim the Mauritanians were to blame for the postponement of the second leg in Conakry and should be disqualified. Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria await the winners.

Whichever club survives goes to Group C. Their opponents will include Zambian air force club Red Arrows.

Draw

Group A

Al Ahly (EGY), Raja Casablanca (MAR), ASKO Kara (TOG), Primeiro Agosto (ANG)

Group B

FAR Rabat (MAR), AZAM (TAN), Al Ahly Tripoli (LBA), Durban City (RSA)

Group C

Chabab Belouizdad (ALG)/Douanes (MTN)/Hafia (GUI), Maniema Union (COD), Singida Black Stars (TAN), Red Arrows (ZAM)

Group D

USM Alger (ALG, holders), CS Sfaxien (TUN), Black Bulls (MOZ), Real Bamako (MLI)

Note: Group winners and runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals

Matchdays: Nov 27-29, Dec 4-6, 18-20, Jan 8-10, 15-17, 22-24