The draw for the 61st edition of the illustrious CAF Champions League was conducted on Monday in Egypt. All the 16 teams have learned their opponents and have 6 weeks to prepare to battle for the coveted trophy.
Here, Sportsworldghana’s Amakye Ansah delves deeper into all the groups and predicts teams that are likely to qualify.
GROUP A
Group A are made of 5 time winners TP Mazembe, the new dangerous force, Young Africans, of Tanzania, always present Al Hilal of Sudan and the champions of Algeria, MC Alger. TP Mazembe reached semi-finals last season succumbing to Al Ahly’s impressive second half pressure. The last time they won the title was in 2015 and are ready to go a step further than last season even though star man, Joel Beya, has departed to FAR Rabat. Under the leadership of Lamine Ndiaye, TP Mazembe are the favourites to win Group A. Young Africans have gained enough experience now and must be considered among one of the best five teams in the Money Zone. With the spine of Djigu Diara, Kalid Aucho, Pacome Zouzoua, Kennedy Musonda, Ki Aziz, Ibrahim Bacca, Prince Dube and Maxi Mpia Nzengeli among many more others, the Tanzanians can worry any other team like they did against Sundowns in the quarter finals in 2023-24 season. Yanga has won their last 20 games in all competitions. MC Alger returns after lifting the Algerian Ligue 1 title for the 8th time. The 1975/76 CAF Champions League winners have added Andy Derlot to their squad with Patrice Beaumelle and his men ready to go far in the competition. Al Hilal of Sudan will pose huge threat because they are being led by the famous Florent Ibenge. They have moved to Mauritania playing in the country’s Ligue 1 to keep themselves in a very good shape.
Teams to qualify: TP Mazembe and Young Africans
GROUP B
South African super champions Mamelodi Sundowns is in Group B with Moroccan clubs Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat alongside minnows Maniema of DR Congo. The South Africans have gone 8 seasons without repeating the 2016 heroics of lifting the CCL trophy under Pitso Mosimane. They have been probably the best side in the group stage in the last 5 years as they win with ease but struggle to enjoy life in the business end. Rulani Mokwena is no more the head coach after mutually leaving hisbeloved Sundowns but Manqoba Mgqithi has been there for a while and knows how to make Sundowns solid. They will aim to win their first title since 2016. The attention will be in Morocco as last two champions pf the Botola PRO meets in the group stage. FAR and Raja Casablanca will steal most of the attention on the matchdays as bragging rights will be hugely at stake. Polish coach Michniewicz Czeslaw, who replaced Nassredine Nabi, got his man, Joel Beya, to strengthen his attack. Center back Henoc Inonga joined from TP Mazembe and FAR will count on his experience at the back. Raja Casablanca went the entire season (23-24) unbeaten winning the Botola PRO and Coupe du Throne. German Head coach Joseph Zinnbauer left after the sweet moment last season. Rusmir Cviko from Bosnia qualified them to the Money Zone but was sacked after after losing to Berkane in the Super Cup and starting the Botola with a 3-1 defeat against Tanger.Under Jinani, Raja has won three games consecutively and expect to continue it in the Money Zone. Congolese side Maniema will have nothing to lose per the opponents ahead. It’s their debut campaign in the Money Zone and will just enjoy the moment while it lasts. Underrate them at your own risk. They eliminated Petro Atletico of Angola so they can shake the group.
Teams to qualify: Sundowns and Raja Casablanca
GROUP C
Al Ahly, Orlando Pirates, Belouizdad and Stade d’Abidjan are in the group but Al Ahly stands tall to progress.
12th time winners and defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt will be the team to beat as Marcel Koller’s men need no introduction to the terrain. They have added Moroccan duo Achraf Dari and Attiyat Allah to bolster their defence. Orlando Pirates have started the season so well under Jose Reveiro after winning the last 7 games in all competitions. The South Africans are ready to fire per all indications after conquering their recent enemies, Jwaneng Galaxy to progress to the Money Zone. CR Belouizdad failed to qualify to the knockout stage in the 23-24 season after making it a habit for 4 consecutive seasons. The addition of Islam Slimani will help the Algerians be aggressive upfront although they have played three straight goalless draws. Head coach Marcos Paqueta has been given the chance to continue after failing to win the Algerian Ligue 1 last season as many expected the Brazillian head coach to leave. The target will be to progress from the Group Stage althouth it won’t be an easy fight. Ivorain Ligue 1 runner up Stade d’Abidjan will have to quadruple their effort facing some of the best teams on the continent. The minnows eliminated Milo of Guinea 3-2 on aggregate to make to the promised land. Stade Abidjan will try to defy the odds once again by qualifying from the tough group.
Teams to qualify: Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates
GROUP D
Probably the group that one can easily pick two teams to progress is D. 2023-24 Runner up, Esperance will face Pyramids of Egypt, Djoliba of Mali and Sagrada of Angola. The group is full of inexperienced teams except the ever-present Esperance. Miguel Cardoso still has 23-year-old Tunisian number 1 goalkeeper Allah Memiche, Yassine Meriah, Amine Tougai, Youcef Belaili, Roger Aholou and Raed Bouchniba are all still around so expect Esperance to enjoy life in the group. Pyramids finished bottom of Group A in their debut Money Zone in 2023-24 season. Minnows Nouadhibou finished even ahead of them and the Egyptians expect to do three times better than last season. Fiston Mayele, Walid El Karti, Ahmed Fathi, and Ibrahim Blati Toure are very experienced players that Croatian head coach Jurcic Krunoslav expects to win one of the slots in the group through them. Djoliba of Mali have a huge mentality after winning so many games spanning from last season. The Malians have lost just once in their last 23 games and would love to have that run in the CAF Champions League. Angolan side Sagrada did so well by eliminating Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers by digging deep to snatch a 3-1 win in Angola after losing 1-0 in Nigeria. Sagrada in the 2021-22 season finished bottom of Group D with just 2 points after failing to deal with eventual winners WAC, Petro and Zamalek. Sagrada has every opportunity to progress because they will fight with the inexperienced Djoliba and Pyramids.
Teams to qualify: Esperance and Pyramids
