File Photo: Ahly’s players celebrate victory over Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC in the pre-match of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. Ahly’s X account.
CAF Champions League titleholders Ahly find themselves in Group C alongside Belouizdad of Algeria, Orlando Pirates of South Africa, and Stade d'Abidjan from Cote d’Ivoire.
Pyramids FC, on the other hand, have been placed in Group D alongside Esperance Tunis of Tunisia, who emerged as the runners-up in the last edition, Sagrada Esperança of Angola, and Djoliba of Mali.
Ahly earned their spot in the CAF Champions League group stage with a resounding 6-0 aggregate triumph over Kenya's Gor Mahia in the second preliminary round of the prestigious tournament.
The defending champions are aiming for a 12th Champions League title in this campaign.
Meanwhile, Pyramids FC, the Egyptian Premier League runners-up, secured their place in the group stage by ultimately claiming a 3-2 aggregate victory over Rwanda's APR FC in the second leg of the preliminary round last September.
Despite finishing as runners-up in the Egyptian League standings, trailing champions Ahly by six points, Pyramids FC have demonstrated their ambition and increasing influence in African football.
The CAF Champions League draw unveiled a challenging Group B, featuring Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Raja Casablanca FAR Rabat of Morocco, and Maniema Union of DR Congo.
The full draw of the African Champions League group stage:
Group A
TP Mazembe (DR. Congo)
Young Africans (Tanzania)
Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan)
MC Alger (Algeria)
Group B
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Raja Casablanca (Morocco)
FAR Rabat (Morocco)
Maniema Union (DR. Congo)
Group C
Ahly (Egypt)
Belouizdad (Algeria)
Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
Stade d'Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)
Group D
Esperance Tunis (Tunisia)
Pyramids FC (Egypt)
Sagrada Esperança (Angola)
Djoliba (Mali)
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