Al Ahly face tough Confederation Cup test as Ahmed Shobeir assesses African draws

Ahmed Shobeir says Al Ahly’s Confederation Cup group contains no easy opposition, while predicting that the Egyptian club and Raja Casablanca are the strongest candidates to reach the next stage.

The former Egypt goalkeeper and broadcaster was discussing the draw for the round of 16 in both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

Zamalek and Pyramids represent Egypt in the Champions League, while Al Ahly are the country’s only club in the Confederation Cup after ZED FC were eliminated.

Zamalek were placed in Group B alongside Tanzania’s Young Africans, MC Alger of Algeria and Tunisia’s Club Africain. Pyramids are in Group D with Sudanese club Al Hilal, Horoya of Guinea and Morocco’s Maghreb de Fes.

Al Ahly were drawn in Group A with Morocco’s Raja Casablanca, ASKO Kara of Togo and Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto.

“Believe it or not, Zamalek’s group is the only one containing four clubs who won their domestic league title last season,” Shobeir said in a radio interview on Thursday.

“Zamalek were champions in Egypt, Young Africans won the league in Tanzania, MC Alger were champions in Algeria and Club Africain won the Tunisian league. It is a fiercely competitive group and Zamalek’s group is extremely difficult.”

Shobeir expects Zamalek to progress from the group, although he believes the second qualifying place could be decided between MC Alger and Club Africain.

“My prediction for Group B in the Champions League is that Zamalek will qualify, along with either MC Alger or Club Africain,” he said.

He was more certain about Pyramids’ prospects, saying the Egyptian side had effectively secured top spot in Group D. He added that the main battle would be between Maghreb de Fes and Al Hilal for the other qualifying position.

Turning to Al Ahly’s Confederation Cup campaign, Shobeir rejected the idea that the group included any weak opponents.

“With Al Ahly in the Confederation Cup, there is no room for jokes. Once Al Ahly enter a competition, you can write them down as contenders to win it,” he said.

“There are many strong clubs in this tournament. People used to talk about the Kenyan ducks, the Kenyan geese and the Kenyan chicks. There are no chicks and no geese here; there is no small team from any country.”

Shobeir concluded that Al Ahly and Raja Casablanca were the likeliest teams to advance from Group A, but warned that Primeiro de Agosto could still produce an upset.

“Al Ahly and Raja are the closest to qualifying from the group, but you cannot rule out surprises from Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto,” he said.