Abdallah El Said of Egypt's Al Ahly celebrates his goal during CAF African Champions League soccer match between Egypt's Al Ahly and Tanzania's Young Africans in Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt, 20/4/2016 (Reuters)
Ahly's technical staff, under the helm of Dutch coach Martin Jol, are indifferent about the draw results for the CAF Champions' League group stage since the club is targetting the trophy regardless of who they meet, the club's football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz said.
"The draw results are balanced. The eight teams competing in the Champions League group stage are almost the best in the continent and we must be wary of each opponent and play all the games very carefully," Abdel-Hafiz said minutes after the draw was announced.
The CAF Champions League group stage draw that was held on Tuesday at the confederation's headquarters in Cairo has placed Ahly and their arch-rivals Zamalek in different groups.
Sayed Abdel-Hafiz (Al-Ahram)
"I hope both Ahly and Zamalek meet in the final so that Egypt is guaranteed the trophy," Abdel-Hafiz said.
Group A merged Zesco of Zambia with Ahly (Egypt), as well as ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) and Wydad Athletic of Morocco, while group B combined Enyimba (Nigeria), Zamalek (Egypt), ES Setif (Algeria) and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa).
Ahly have collected a series of African trophies including 8 Champions Leagues, one Confederation Cup and Six Super Cups while Zamalek have won 5 Champions Leagues and three Super Cups.
The record holders Ahly won the Champions League last time in 2013 while Zamalek's last title was in 2002.
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