CAF Champions League Draw Sparks Discontent Among Algerian Clubs
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has come under criticism following Tuesday’s group stage draw for the CAF Champions League, which placed three Algerian clubs—ES Sétif, MC El Eulma, and USM Alger—together in Group B. The outcome has left officials and coaches from all three teams frustrated, questioning the fairness and logic behind the draw procedure.
Club leaders have expressed their disapproval of what they see as an avoidable scenario. Speaking shortly after the draw, the president of MC El Eulma voiced strong objections.
“This draw is completely illogical,” he told StarAfrica. “We would have preferred not to be drawn against two other Algerian clubs in the same group. The African Confederation could have easily prevented this situation. In Europe, for example, three teams from the same country would never be placed in the same group.”
ES Sétif head coach Kheireddine Madoui echoed similar concerns, admitting his surprise at the outcome.
“It’s a bit strange,” Madoui remarked. “I’ll admit that I secretly hoped one of the other Algerian clubs would be in our group, but both at the same time? That’s unexpected.”
Bilel Dziri, assistant coach of USM Alger, also weighed in, calling the draw historic but puzzling.
“It’s a first for the competition to have three clubs from the same country in one group,” Dziri noted. “Honestly, I expected two Algerian teams at most, not three. But we have to accept the draw and focus on going as far as possible in this competition.”
The controversy has raised broader questions about CAF’s draw methodology and whether the organisation should introduce rules to avoid grouping multiple clubs from the same nation at this stage of the tournament. Many observers feel that such occurrences not only dilute the continental nature of the competition but also create unnecessary domestic clashes on the continental stage.
All three Algerian sides will now face each other in what promises to be a fiercely competitive Group B, with national pride and international aspirations on the line. While the group offers guaranteed Algerian representation in the knockout rounds, it also ensures that at least one of the teams will be eliminated early—something many hoped to avoid.
CAF has not yet responded to the criticism, but the draw has certainly sparked a debate over reforming tournament structures to preserve both fairness and variety in African club football.
