Durban City handed demanding CAF Confederation Cup group-stage draw

Durban City will face Al Ahly Tripoli, Azam FC and AS FAR in Group B of the CAF Confederation Cup after the draw was held in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday afternoon.

The South African side are preparing for their first appearance in the competition’s group stage, having secured qualification after winning the Nedbank Cup. It is also their debut season in African continental football.

Durban City were one of 16 teams placed into four groups of four for the next phase of the tournament. Their campaign is scheduled to begin in November, although the exact dates, kick-off times and venues have yet to be confirmed.

Eric Tinkler’s team have made a strong start to their continental campaign, winning all four matches played during the qualifying rounds.

They began with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Rukinzo FC of Burundi in the first preliminary round. Durban City won the home leg 1-0 before completing the tie with a 2-1 away victory.

The club then produced an emphatic result against AS Port-Louis 2000 from Mauritius in the second preliminary round, progressing with a 6-1 aggregate win.

That run has taken Durban City into the group stage for the first time in the club’s history and set up meetings with three experienced opponents in Group B.

Al Ahly Tripoli, Azam FC and AS FAR will provide the next test as Tinkler’s side attempt to extend their unbeaten record in the competition and continue their immediate impact on the African stage.

The group-stage draw was conducted after the qualified teams were divided across the four sections, each containing four clubs. Further details of the fixtures will be confirmed by CAF before the competition begins in November.