Raja Casablanca have been handed a difficult return to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, with 12-time CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly among their opponents in Group A.
The draw, conducted by CAF on Wednesday, also placed holders USM Alger in a group featuring two of African football’s historic clubs. The group stage begins on 27 November, with the four pools now confirmed.
Raja earned their place with a 6-1 aggregate victory over Uganda’s Kitara FC. The Moroccan side, winners of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2018 and 2021, then overcame El-Kanemi Warriors 2-2, 2-0 to qualify for the group stage.
They will face an Al Ahly team more accustomed to competing in the CAF Champions League and regarded as the leading threat in Group A. The other two teams in the section are ASKO de Kara of Togo and Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto, who have declined in recent years after reaching the CAF Champions League semi-finals in 2018.
Raja, who were drawn from pot two, avoided a Moroccan meeting with AS FAR Rabat, who were in pot one. AS FAR have been placed in Group B, where they will face a competitive test after reaching last season’s CAF Champions League final. They qualified by defeating Ivorian club CO Korhogo 2-1 on aggregate.
Al Ahli Tripoli will provide another significant challenge. The Libyan club has strengthened its continental ambitions with expensive signings, including Democratic Republic of the Congo international striker Fiston Mayele. His reported annual salary of 5 million dollars makes him the highest-paid player based in Africa.
Al Ahli reached the group stage after an emphatic 8-1 aggregate win over Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat. Azam FC are also in Group B after collecting nine points but failing to progress from the group stage last season. Durban City, meanwhile, will make their first appearance at this stage after coming through both preliminary rounds.
USM Alger face two former champions
Defending champions USM Alger will play in Group D, a section with considerable historical pedigree but which appears more manageable. They will meet CS Sfaxien, three-time CAF Confederation Cup winners in 2007, 2008 and 2013, and Mali’s AS Real Bamako. USM Alger advanced without playing after The Panthers withdrew.
CS Sfaxien are preparing for an 11th CAF Confederation Cup group-stage appearance, a record. AS Real Bamako reached the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1966 and secured their place this time by eliminating Tunisia’s ES Zarzis 5-3 on aggregate. Mozambique’s Black Bulls complete the group and will look to disrupt the established sides.
Group C remains subject to one final confirmation. Algeria’s CR Belouizdad are involved in a dispute concerning AS Douanes of Mauritania and Guinea’s Hafia FC, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport due to decide which team qualifies.
Should CR Belouizdad come through as expected, they would be considered favourites ahead of AS Maniema Union. The Congolese club reached last season’s quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by eventual winners USM Alger, and beat Angola’s Kabuscorp 8-2 on aggregate in qualifying.
Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars will appear in a second successive group stage after taking five points last season. Red Arrows complete the section after their penalty-shootout victory over South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs, following two matches that both ended 1-0.