MC Alger face Zamalek and Young Africans in challenging CAF Champions League draw

MC Alger have been handed a demanding group-stage campaign in the 2026-27 CAF Champions League after being drawn with Zamalek, Young Africans and Club Africain.

The draw, held in Cairo on Wednesday, 28 October, also placed last season’s semi-finalists RS Berkane alongside Simba SC and Orlando Pirates in Group C. Esperance de Tunis will face Petro Atletico, FC Nouadhibou and Wiliete SC in Group A.

The absence of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns is one of the major features of this year’s competition. The South African club were eliminated by Angolan side Wiliete SC in the second preliminary round, leaving the title race more open than in previous seasons.

Several former champions will hope to take advantage, although RS Berkane face a demanding schedule. The Moroccan club are due to travel to Tanzania, South Africa and Cameroon during the group stage.

They will also meet Orlando Pirates, who are managed by Abdeslam Ouaddou. That fixture adds particular interest to a group which also includes Simba SC and Cameroonian club Colombe Sportive.

Esperance de Tunis will need to negotiate a group containing Petro Atletico and Wiliete SC, the side responsible for Mamelodi Sundowns’ early exit. FC Nouadhibou complete Group A.

MC Alger, meanwhile, will come up against Egyptian side Zamalek and Tanzania’s Young Africans, while Club Africain return to this stage of the competition after eliminating TP Mazembe.

The remaining group features Pyramids FC, Al Hilal Omdurman, Horoya AC and MAS de Fes. The top two teams in each section will advance to the quarter-finals, with the group stage scheduled to begin in November.

CAF Champions League 2026-27 groups

Group A Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia) Petro Atletico (Angola) FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania) Wiliete SC (Angola)

Group B Zamalek SC (Egypt) Young Africans (Tanzania) MC Alger (Algeria) Club Africain (Tunisia)

Group C RS Berkane (Morocco) Simba SC (Tanzania) Orlando Pirates (South Africa) Colombe Sportive (Cameroon)

Group D Pyramids FC (Egypt) Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan) Horoya AC (Guinea) MAS de Fes (Morocco)