Football fans on the continent are in for a treat after Mamelodi Sundowns were drawn alongside Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat in Group B of the CAF Champions League.
Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo are the fourth team in what Al Ahly legend Ahmed Fathy has called the competition’s “group of death”.
Speaking after the draw, Fathy was impressed with the quality of the competition and felt it put African football in a positive light.
“This is the strongest club competition in Africa, and you need to use it to develop these new players for Africa, it shows the best talent in Africa, but it also requires a high level of experience to compete,” Fathy said, as quoted by iDiskiTimes.
“I think the African Champions League, for me, Group B is a very difficult group, all the best goes out to the teams but I wish to see two teams from Egypt in the final.”
The Champions League proper will kick off on November 26, and will play through until May of next year. South Africa will be represented by Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
CAF Champions League
Group A
TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of Congo), Young Africans (Tanzania), Al Hilal (Sudan), Mouloudia Alger (Algeria)
Group B
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Raja Casablanca (Morocco), FAR Rabat (Morocco), Maniema Union (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Group C
Al Ahly (Egypt, holders), Chabab Belouizdad (Algeria), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Stade Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
Group D
Esperance (Tunisia), Pyramids (Egypt), Sagrada Esperanca (Angola), Djoliba (Mali)
IOL Sport