Star line-up for Caf Confederation Cup play-offs

AC Leopards players go through their paces during a training session at Nyayo stadium on March 14, 2015 on the eve of their first leg Caf Champions League first round match against Gor Mahia. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • Tunisian clubs are involved in all the match-ups with Club Africain playing Egyptians Al Ahly, Esperance meeting Ghanaians Hearts of Oak and Etoile Sahel facing Moroccans Raja Casablanca.
  • Ahly are the title-holders having pipped Ivorians Sewe San Pedro on away goals in the two-leg final after a 2-2 aggregate deadlock.

JOHANNESBURG

Three ties between former African champions highlighted the CAF Confederation Cup play-offs draw made Tuesday in Cairo.

Tunisian clubs are involved in all the match-ups with Club Africain playing Egyptians Al Ahly, Esperance meeting Ghanaians Hearts of Oak and Etoile Sahel facing Moroccans Raja Casablanca.

Ahly are the title-holders having pipped Ivorians Sewe San Pedro on away goals in the two-leg final after a 2-2 aggregate deadlock.

"It will be difficult for us, but we hope to defend the title won last year," said Ahly football director and former star Wael Gomaa.

"We have good players and new coach Fathi Mabrouk is someone who knows the club very well."

Mabrouk replaced sacked Spaniard Juan Carlos Garrido Tuesday after Ahly failed to qualify for the Caf Champions League group stage and were demoted to the Confederation Cup.

Four other former Caf Champions League winners, Ivorians ASEC Mimosas, Congolese V Club, South Africans Orlando Pirates and Egyptians Zamalek, also featured in the draw.

ASEC play Tunisians CS Sfaxien, V Club meet Malians Stade Malien, Pirates face Guineans Kaloum and Zamalek tackle Congolese Sanga Balende.

Zamalek team manager Hamada Anwar said: "I hope we will achieve a positive first-leg result so that we won't be under pressure in the return match.

"We are having a good season and hope to win the Confederation Cup."

The only tie not involving former champions pits AC Leopards from Congo Brazzaville against Nigerians Warri Wolves.
Although it is the second-tier African competition, the Confederation Cup line-up this season is much stronger than that in the more lucrative and prestigious CAF Champions League.

The Champions League last-eight field includes just two teams who have conquered the continent, defending champions Algerians Entente Setif and Congolese TP Mazembe.

CAF CONFEDERATION CUP DRAW

Play-offs

Al Ahly (EGY) v Club Africain (TUN)

Esperance (TUN) v Hearts of Oak (GHA)

AC Leopards (CGO) v Warri Wolves (NGR)

CS Sfaxien (TUN) v ASEC Mimosas (CIV)

V Club (COD) v Stade Malien (MLI)

Orlando Pirates (RSA) v Kaloum (GUI)

Zamalek (EGY) v Sanga Balende (COD)

Etoile Sahel (TUN) v Raja Casablanca (MAR)

First legs: May 15-17, second: June 5-7

GROUPS

A: Ahly or Africain, Esperance or Hearts, Etoile or Raja, V Club or Malien

B: Zamalek or Balende, Sfaxien or ASEC, Leopards or Wolves, Pirates or Kaloum

Match dates: June 26-28, July 10-12 and 24-26, Aug 7-9 and 21-23, Sept 11-13

Note: group winners and runners-up qualify for semi-finals