CAF Champions League: probable pots revealed ahead of Cairo group-stage draw

The 16 teams that will compete in the CAF Champions League group stage have been confirmed, with the draw set to take place in Cairo on Wednesday.

The ceremony will begin at 13:00 French time, which is also the local time in Algeria, Cameroon and Tunisia. It will be 12:00 in Morocco and Guinea, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said in a statement on its official website.

The qualified clubs include record participants Esperance de Tunis, alongside Al Hilal Omdurman, Petro Luanda, Club Africain, Colombe Sportive, Nouadhibou, Horoya, MAS de Fes, MC Alger, Orlando Pirates, Pyramids, RS Berkane, Simba SC, Wiliete, Young Africans and Zamalek.

The teams will be divided into four groups of four, with the clubs expected to be allocated across four seeding pots.

Esperance expected to lead top pot

Esperance de Tunis, appearing in the competition for a record 24th time, are strongly expected to be placed in the first pot.

They could be joined by RS Berkane, who have qualified for the group stage for only the second time in their history, as well as Pyramids and Zamalek.

Pyramids won the edition before last, while Zamalek are the second most successful club in the competition with five titles. They trail record winners Al Ahly, who are notable absentees from this year’s group stage.

Al Hilal Omdurman, Simba SC, Young Africans and Petro Luanda are expected to make up the second pot.

The projected third pot could feature MC Alger, the reigning Algerian champions for a third consecutive season, alongside Orlando Pirates, the current champions of South Africa. Nouadhibou and Horoya are also expected to be included.

Newcomers Wiliete set for group stage

The fourth and final pot could contain Club Africain, the current champions of Tunisia, as well as Wiliete.

Wiliete have reached the group stage after producing a surprise victory over defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the preliminary round.

Cameroon champions Colombe du Sud are also expected to be placed in the fourth pot, alongside Morocco’s equivalent title holders, MAS de Fes.

The draw will determine the four groups for the next stage of the CAF Champions League, with the final seeding arrangements to be confirmed at the ceremony in Egypt.