Raja Casablanca handed Al Ahly challenge as USM Alger draw historic rivals

The Raja Casablanca have been drawn against 12-time CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly in the 2026-27 CAF Confederation Cup group stage, which begins on 27 November.

The Moroccan club returned to this level after beating Uganda’s Kitara FC 6-1 on aggregate. Raja, winners of the competition in 2018 and 2021, also overcame El-Kanemi Warriors 2-2, 2-0 and will face ASKO de Kara of Togo and Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto in Group A.

Primeiro de Agosto reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals in 2018 but have declined in the years since. Raja were drawn from pot two and avoided domestic rivals AS FAR Rabat, who were placed in Group B.

AS FAR, runners-up in the most recent CAF Champions League, qualified by defeating CO Korhogo of Ivory Coast 2-1 on aggregate. They will also meet Al Ahli Tripoli, Azam FC and Durban City.

Al Ahli have invested heavily in their continental ambitions and signed Fiston Mayele, the DR Congo international striker reported to be the highest-paid player operating in Africa, with an annual salary of $5m. The Libyan side reached the group stage after an 8-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat.

Azam FC missed out in the group stage last season despite collecting nine points, while South Africa’s Durban City will be appearing at this stage for the first time after coming through both preliminary rounds.

USM Alger face two former champions

Defending champions USM Alger were handed a Group D containing two clubs with a distinguished continental history: CS Sfaxien and AS Real Bamako. The Algerian side advanced without playing after The Panthers withdrew.

CS Sfaxien have won the CAF Confederation Cup three times, in 2007, 2008 and 2013, and will make a record 11th appearance in the competition’s group stage.

AS Real Bamako do not have the same recent record, but reached the African Cup of Champions Clubs final in 1966. They secured their place by beating Tunisia’s ES Zarzis 5-3 on aggregate. Mozambique’s Black Bulls complete the group and will aim to upset the established sides.

Group C remains subject to confirmation, with the final participant dependent on a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling. CR Belouizdad are competing for the place against AS Douanes of Mauritania or Guinea’s Hafia FC, who are involved in a dispute.

Should CR Belouizdad qualify as expected, they will be considered the group favourites alongside AS Maniema Union, Singida Black Stars and Red Arrows.

Maniema reached last season’s quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by eventual winners USM Alger, and then beat Angola’s Kabuscorp 8-2 on aggregate in qualifying. Singida Black Stars will make a second successive group-stage appearance after taking five points last season.

Red Arrows advanced after eliminating Kaizer Chiefs on penalties, following two matches that both ended 1-0.