The draw of the African Champions League placed Egypt's Ahli in Group B with two regional powerhouses and a possible third An upcoming Arab clash will not be for political reasons but football, in the African Champions League. Inas Mazhar attended the draw of the League. Group B is definitely the group of death this year with three Arab teams representing the northern part of the African continent: Egyptian side Ahli, Tunisia's Esperance and Algerian side MC Algeria. 28 May will see either Simba Stars of Tanzania or Wydad from Morocco become the fourth team in the group. One must take the place of defending champions Mazembe of DRC who were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. Fanatic fans of these neighbouring North African states always threaten to run riot so security in those countries had better get ready from now before the competition's mini-league kicks off in July. The draw also saw Nigeria's Enyimba, Sudan's Al Hilal, Moroccan side Raja and Cameroonian team Coton Sport in Group A. When the draw was concluded by the new CAF acting secretary-general Hisham Al-Emrani of Morocco, one could hear comments from the media, coaches and CAF officials about the clashes to come in Group A. The following day, the Egyptian press prepared football fans for exciting, thrilling and tough matches ahead. Khaled Lemkecher, board member of the Tunisian club Esperance told Al-Ahram Weekly that Group B will be very tough, conceding the collisions in the past among the North Africans. "It's a sensitive issue; it's tough because they are considered like derbies, regionally. "But I believe we'll see good and strong football this time and I predict both Ahli and Esperance to reach the semi-finals. Both teams are favourites because they are the more experienced and are former champions, especially Ahli, and I believe that the national leagues in Egypt and Tunisia are stronger than in Algeria, Morocco or Tanzania." Lemkecher added Al-Hilal and Rajaa of Morocco are the favourites of Group A. "It's not an easy group as well, though not like our group of death." Ahli football executive director Hadi Khashaba represented Ahli in the draw proceedings. Speaking to the Weekly, Khashaba described it as a very tough group but said that Ahli was used to it and is targeting the title. "Regardless of whoever is in the group, Ahli will have to play the teams to recapture its title and add a seventh one. We are aware that the mission this time is more difficult than in the past because all the opponents could be North Africans. But I feel it is a chance for these four Arab countries to show the world how strong our football is and how civilised our fans are." Khashaba urged Ahli fans to continue their support in the club's quest to claim the title and said that management is to appeal to CAF to reconsider its decision of playing the first game in the competition without fans which means that Ahli would have to play their opener against either Simba of Tanzania or Wydad of Morocco at home and without fans. "We are trying to persuade CAF to reconsider and hope it will work because it will be hard for the fans to be denied the opportunity of attending the first match." Ahli's punishment came after a round of 16 match in Cairo with Zambia's Zesco in which fireworks were hurled and a Zesco player injured. The Orange Champions League group stage begins in July and the final match in November, while the Orange Confederation Cup begins with the 2nd 1/8 finals in May before the group stage which begins in July and the final match in December Many were taken aback by the disqualification of the two-time champions TP Mazembe of Congo. According to CAF and following a complaint filed by Simba Sports of Tanzania following match, the Confederation of African football launched an investigation into the eligibility of TP Mazembe player Janvier Besala Bokungu. The findings of the investigation were submitted to the Organising Committee for CAF Interclubs Competitions and based on those findings, the Organising Committee decided to disqualify Mazembe on the basis of Chapter VIII (Fraud), article 24, article 26 (Qualification of players) and article 29 of the Orange CAF Champions League regulations. The Organising Committee decided that the replacement will be made after a play-off match, to be played next week in a neutral venue, between Simba FC and Wydad. The winner of this match will join the Champions League Group B. In other CAF news, 52 out of the 53 national associations affiliated to CAF will take part in the qualifying series to determine the continent's five slots for the next World Cup. The qualifying series will begin with a preliminary round involving the 24-bottom FIFA ranked teams according to the latest FIFA ranking. The 12 teams to qualify from the preliminary round will join the 28 teams on a bye for the next phase. The top team from each of the 10 groups will qualify for the final play-off, and will play on a home and away basis to determine the five slots. In all, 154 matches will played between November 2011 and November 2013. And following a secret ballot, the CAF Executive Committee voted in majority to support the incumbent Joseph Sepp Blatter in FIFA elections in Zurich on 1 June. By Inas Mazhar
