CAF CL group stage draw throws up some historic clashes
The CAF Champions League round of 16 draw was held in Egypt on Friday and produced some highly anticipated face-offs between the continent's giants.
The group stage draw for the 2020-21 CAF Champions League was staged on Friday at CAF headquarters in Cairo with the champions and the runners-up placed in two different groups.
Nine-time champions Al-Ahly share Group A with Veta Club of Congo, Simba of Tanzania, and Sudanese side Al-Merrikh, while their historical Egyptian rivals and last season's runners-up Zamalek will compete in Group D with Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Algerian club MC Alger and Senegal's Teungueth FC.
CAF Group B one to watch
The draw has also seen the formation of a fiery second group that comprises Mazembe of Congo, 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Sudan's Al-Hilal, and CR Belouizdad of Algeria.
Al-Ahly won the title last season with a 2-1 win over city rivals Zamalek at Cairo International Stadium to secure a first continental title under their new coach Pitso Mosimane, who took charge of the team ahead of the semi-final.
Arabian teams participating in this year's edition combined have won the title on 21 occasions: Al-Ahly have lifted the trophy nine times, followed by Zamalek (5), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (4) Wydad (2) and MC Alger (1).
Non-Arabian teams combined have won the title 7 times, with Mazembe on top with five wins, followed by Mamelodi Sundowns and Veta Club, who have won the coveted title once each.
Round of 16 groups:
Group A: Al-Ahly- Veta Club- Simba- AlMerrikh.
Group B: Mazembe- Mamelodi Sundowns- Al-Hilal- CR Belouizdad.
Group C: Wydad Casablanca- Horoya- Atlético Petróleos- Kaizer Chiefs.
Group D: Espérance Sportive- Zamalek- MC Alger- Teungueth.