Egypt's famed arch rivals Ahly and Zamalek have fallen in two separate groups, avoiding possible early elimination in the draw for the group stages of both the 2017 African Champions League and the 2017 African Confederation Cup held in Cairo. In a new group Champions League format, Ahly were drawn in Group D alongside Morocco's Wydad Athletic Club, Cameroon's Coton Sport and Zambia Zanaco while Zamalek fell in Group B alongside Algeria's USM Alger, Libya's Ahli Tripoli and Caps United of Zimbabwe. On the other hand, Egypt's Smouha are placed in Group C of the Confederation Cup alongside Sudan's Hilal Obeid, Zambia's Zesco United and Recreativo do Libolo of Angola. Ahly, the record holders of eight Champions League trophies, sealed their place in the last-16 group stage following a 1-0 win on aggregate over South Africa's Bidvest Wits in late March. Official Draw Five-time champions Zamalek reached the same round after a 5-3 win on aggregate over Nigeria's Enugu Rangers International FC. They are bidding for their first title since 2002. Smouha secured a 1-0 home victory over South Africa's Bidvest Wits, lifting them to the Confederation Cup group stage after an away goalless draw. The Alexandria-based club are making their first appearance in Africa's secondary club competition, although they were there in the 2015 Champions League finishing at the foot of their group collecting four points from six matches. Attending last week's draw was former Egyptian national team and Ahly defender Wa'el Gomaa, the guest of honour at the ceremony as one of the African continent's football legends. "I am so happy to be here and I thank the CAF for their invitation. I am so proud to be part of all the accomplishments made by my national team and my club," Gomaa said at the ceremony. "I wish all the luck to all the teams, including my own, who made my name," the 41-year-old added. “My team were drawn in a tough group at the CAF Champions League group stage, but they are accustomed to facing challenges,” Ahly coach Hossam Al-Badri said after the draw. "All our opponents in the group are powerful and experienced in the tournament, but we will be ready for these confrontations," Al-Badri was quoted as saying by Ahly's official website. "Our team will do its best to achieve positive results and return to play at the Club World Cup," Al-Badri said. Zamalek are looking to make up for last year's African Champions League loss. The Cairo giants, runners up last year, said they were pleased with the outcome of the draw. "The group is balanced. Zamalek are only targeting the title," said football director Khaled Galal on the club's official website right after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the draw. "We aim to make a powerful start and all the three opponents are not easy challengers but we are determined to go all the way and lift the trophy," Galal said. Nineteen countries are represented by 32 clubs that made it to the upcoming phase of both competitions. Tunisia is the most represented country with four teams: Esperance, Etoile du Sahel in the Champions League and Club Africain and CS Sfaxien in the Confederation Cup. South Africa, Sudan and Egypt are represented by three clubs, while Morocco, DR Congo and Zambia are represented by two club, one in each competition. The CAF Champions League group stage draw results are as follows: Group A: Tunisia's Etoile du Sahel, Sudan's El Hilal and El Merreikh and Ferroviario Beira of Mozambique Group B: Egypt's Zamalek, Algeria's USM Alger, Libya's Ahli Tripoli and Caps United of Zimbabwe Group C: South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns South Africa, Tunisia's Esperance, DR Congo's AS Vita Club and Saint-George of Ethiopia. Group D: Ahly of Egypt, Morocco's Wydad Athletic Club, Cameroon's Coton Sport and Zanaco of Zambia
The Confederation Cup group stage draw results are as follows: Group A: Morocco's FUS Rabat, Tunisia's Club Africain, Nigeria's Rivers United and Kampala City Council of Uganda. Group B: Tunisia's CS Sfaxien, South Africa's Platinum Stars, Algeria's MC Alger and Mbabanwe Swallows of Swaziland Group C: Sudan's Hilal Obeid, Zambia's Zesco United and Recreativo do Libolo of Angola and Smouha of Egypt Group D: DR Congo's TP Mazembe, South Africa's Supersport United, Guinea's Horoya AC and CF Mounana of Gabon First group matches are due to be played on the weekend of 12-14 May. The top two from each group will progress to the quarter-finals with the final set to be played over two legs in November. Meantime, CAF confirmed that the suspension of Mali's Football Association (FEMAFOOT) has been lifted by the sport's world body FIFA. Mali were originally banned from global football in March after the country's Sports Minister Housseïni Amion Guindo had dissolved the executive committee of FEMAFOOT. FIFA, who do not look kindly on government interference, had said the ban would only be lifted when the FEMAFOOT board was reinstated. On Saturday, CAF announced that a letter dated 28 April 2017 and signed by Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura had confirmed the reinstatement of FEMAFOOT's executive committee, thereby allowing Mali back into the international fold. CAF say Mali are now clear to participate in the Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon from 14 to 28 May. Ethiopia would have replaced holders Mali at the tournament if the suspension had not been lifted. Mali will be based in Libreville for the U-17s Nations Cup and are set to play in Group B alongside Angola, Niger and Tanzania. Hosts Gabon will take on Cameroon, Ghana and Guinea in Port Gentil in Group A.
