The CAF Champions League group stage draw, held in Cairo, delivered a high-voltage outcome—especially in Group B, which consists exclusively of North African clubs. This group will feature fierce regional rivalries, with Espérance de Tunis (EST) and CS Sfaxien (CSS)—two major Tunisian powerhouses—being drawn together, alongside ES Sétif from Algeria and Al Ahly Benghazi from Libya.
Key Reactions to the Draw:
Riadh Bennour, President of Espérance:
“We all know CSS and ES Sétif, and as for Ahly Benghazi, it is enough to remember that they eliminated the title holder.”
He highlighted the difficulty of managing such tightly contested derbies, which are as emotional as they are tactical.Naceur Bedoui, Sporting Director of CS Sfaxien:
“All eight teams in the group stage are strong. The advantage in Group B is that we avoid long-distance travel.”
This geographic closeness could reduce fatigue but increase intensity on the pitch.
This group is shaping up to be the most intense of the tournament, with regional pride, historic rivalries, and tactical familiarity raising the stakes in every match.
