File Photo: Zamalek players after scoring during their Egyptian Cup semi-final soccer match against Haras El Hodood at Cairo Stadium October 1, 2011 (Photo: Reuters)
Egyptian side Zamalek have been paired with Sudan's Al-Hilal, and Congolese sides TP Mazembe and AS Vita Club in Group B of the CAF Champions League group stage.
In the draw held in Cairo on Tuesday morning, the Whites avoided North African rivals CS Sfaxien, Esperance of Tunisia, Algeria's Entente Setif and Ahly Benghazi of Libya, who were all paired in Group A.
On Monday, the Cairo giants skipper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed had said he hoped his team would be paired with CS Sfaxien and Ahly Benghazi as they know these opponents well and also to avoid travelling to faraway African countries. But his hopes were in vain as his team will face tough tests, especially against two-time winners TP Mazembe.
Under coach Ahmed Hossam 'Mido', five-time African champions Zamalek are seeking their first continental title since 2002.
Zamalek will start their group stage campaign against Vita Club in Congo, while it will end against Al-Hilal in Sudan.
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