Shehata surprised by African Champions League draw

Eslam Omar, Tuesday 15 May 2012

Hassan Shehata surprised by draw that pits Zamalek against Cairo rival Ahly in the same African Champions League group at Tuesday's draw

Hassan Shehata

Cairo rivals Ahly and Zamalek were placed in the same CAF Champions League group at Tuesday's draw.

“I didn’t expect to be drawn with Ahly and I really hoped that each team would compete in a separate group,” the Whites' manager Hassan Shehata told Ahram Online after the draw.

“The Confederation of African Football could have avoided this and could also have separated Tunisian rivals’ Esperance and Etoile du Sahel,” he added.

Egypt's most successful coach said his team would be ready for the tough competition and “Zamalek will prove its ability.”

Joining Ahly, who beat Mali’s Stade Malian 3-2 on aggregate in the previous round, and Zamalek, who qualified after smashing Moroccan Maghreb Fez 4-0, in Group B, are Ghana’s Berekum Chelsea and TP Mazembe from DR Congo.

In Group A, Esperance of Tunisia will compete with compatriots Etoile du Sahel, ASO Chlef of Algeria and Nigeria’s Sunshine Stars.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter: @AO Sports)

 

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