Kaizer Chiefs to face two Egyptian rivals in CAF Cup

JOHANNESBURG - South African club Kaizer Chiefs will face two Egyptian opponents, Zamalek and Al Masry, after the CAF Confederation Cup group draw was made in Johannesburg on Monday.

Zambian outfit ZESCO United complete Group D, arguably the toughest of the four mini-leagues in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.

Matchday one is set for 23 November, followed one week later by the second round. The other four matchdays will be staged in January and February after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Chiefs are a hugely popular team, drawing a crowd of more than 100,000 last season when they met their greatest domestic rivals Orlando Pirates in Johannesburg.

But success has eluded the Amakhosi (Chiefs) in Africa, apart from winning the now-defunct African Cup Winners Cup in 2001.

They crept past Kabuscorp of Angola on penalties in the first qualifying round this season, then scored three goals in a match for the first time since March to eliminate Congolese team AS Simba.

Nigerian Etiosa Ighodaro and Congolese Makabi Lilepowere among the goals in the 3-1 home victory for Chiefs that secured a place in the group draw.

Zamalek, who have lifted the Confederation Cup twice, sacked Belgian coach Yannick Ferrera at the weekend after poor domestic results. Egyptian Ahmed Abdel Raouf took his place.

The other former winners in the line-up, USM Alger of Algeria, are in Group A with regular African campaigners Djoliba of Mali and less experienced San Pedro of Ivory Coast and Olympique Safi of Morocco.

Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, back in Africa after missing out last season, were drawn in Group B and are among the title favourites, especially after signing former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech.

Draw

Group A

USM Alger (ALG), Djoliba (MLI), Olympique Safi (MAR), San Pedro (CIV)

Group B

Wydad Casablanca (MAR), Maniema Union (COD), AZAM (TAN), Nairobi Utd (KEN)

Group C

Chabab Belouizdad (ALG), Stellenbosch (RSA), AS Otoho(CGO), Singida Black Stars (TAN)

Group D

Zamalek, Al Masry (both EGY), Kaizer Chiefs (RSA), ZESCO Utd (ZAM)

• 
  -- Group winners and runners-up qualify for quarter-finals
• 
  Matchdays
• Nov 23, 30, Jan 25, Feb 1, 8, 15

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