CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw: Algerian Derby in Group B, TP Mazembe Lead Group A
The CAF Champions League group stage draw held on Tuesday has delivered intriguing matchups, with Algerian clubs dominating Group B, while TP Mazembe, the top seed, enjoys a seemingly favorable draw in Group A.
Group B: An All-Algerian Affair
For the first time in the competition’s modern history, three clubs from the same country—Entente Sétif, USM Alger, and MC El Eulma—have been drawn into the same group. Their inclusion makes Group B feel like a domestic Algerian championship, promising high-intensity derbies on a continental stage.
The trio will be joined by El Merreikh of Sudan, who will be eager to upset the North African dominance and stake their claim for a place in the semifinals.
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ES Sétif are the defending champions and bring experience and ambition to the group.
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USM Alger, one of Algeria’s oldest and most successful clubs, are looking to reach the knockout stages after several near misses.
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MC El Eulma, relative newcomers to the Champions League, are hoping to extend their fairytale run after stunning CS Sfaxien in the previous round.
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El Merreikh, semi-finalists in 2007, are Sudan’s strongest hope in the competition and will not be underestimated.
Group A: TP Mazembe Favourites
Top-seeded TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo—four-time African champions—lead Group A and are expected to dominate. The group includes Smouha SC, the Egyptian debutants in the competition’s group phase, alongside Sudanese giants Al Hilal and Morocco’s Moghreb Tetouan.
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TP Mazembe bring pedigree, continental experience, and a deep squad.
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Smouha, while new to the CAF Champions League, have shown resilience in reaching this far.
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Al Hilal will aim to go further than their traditional group-stage exits, banking on their passionate home crowd in Omdurman.
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Moghreb Tetouan, 2014 Moroccan champions, are no strangers to upsetting expectations and will be hoping to rekindle their domestic form.
Group Stage Fixtures Start in June
CAF has announced that group matches will kick off in June, with each team playing six matches (home and away). The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, moving one step closer to Africa’s most coveted club trophy.
CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw
Group A
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TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
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Al Hilal (Sudan)
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Smouha SC (Egypt)
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Moghreb Tetouan (Morocco)
Group B
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ES Sétif (Algeria)
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USM Alger (Algeria)
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MC El Eulma (Algeria)
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El Merreikh (Sudan)
With fierce rivalries, regional pride, and Champions League glory on the line, the group stage promises intense football and dramatic storylines across the African continent.
