Mohamed Sherif handed balanced group with Al Zawraa in Gulf Champions League

Al Zawraa have been drawn in a balanced group for the Gulf Champions League for Clubs, with Mohamed Sherif’s new side set to face Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain’s Al-Riffa.

Sherif joined Al Zawraa from Al Ahly several days ago, completing a one-season loan move before the draw for the group stage was made. The Egyptian forward will therefore begin his time in Iraq with a continental schedule that includes opposition from three different Gulf countries.

Al Zawraa were placed in Group B alongside Al Nasr, Qatar and Al-Riffa. The section brings together four clubs from Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, giving Sherif’s team a varied programme during the group stage.

The draw for the Gulf Champions League for Clubs was completed as follows:

Group A NEOM of Saudi Arabia Al Duhail of Qatar Al Shabab of Oman Shabwah Hadramout of Yemen

Group B Al Zawraa of Iraq Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates Qatar Al-Riffa of Bahrain

Group C Al Ettifaq of Saudi Arabia Ajman of the United Arab Emirates Erbil of Iraq Kazma of Kuwait

The outcome gives Al Zawraa a group featuring clubs from four national leagues, while the other sections also contain a mixture of teams from across the region. Group A includes NEOM, Al Duhail, Al Shabab and Shabwah Hadramout, while Group C consists of Al Ettifaq, Ajman, Erbil and Kazma.

For Sherif, the draw provides an immediate outline of the challenge awaiting him after his move away from Al Ahly. His loan at Al Zawraa is scheduled to last for one season, and the club’s place in Group B means his competitive campaign will include matches against Al Nasr, Qatar and Al-Riffa.

Al Zawraa’s group was described as balanced following the draw, with no change to the four-team line-up announced for the competition. The Iraqi club will now prepare for its group-stage fixtures with its new signing among the players expected to contribute during the tournament.

The three groups contain 12 clubs in total. Saudi Arabia is represented by NEOM and Al Ettifaq, the United Arab Emirates by Al Nasr and Ajman, Iraq by Al Zawraa and Erbil, Qatar by Al Duhail and Qatar, and Oman, Yemen, Bahrain and Kuwait by Al Shabab, Shabwah Hadramout, Al-Riffa and Kazma respectively.

The group-stage draw is the first major competition detail to emerge since Sherif’s move to Al Zawraa. His transfer from Al Ahly was agreed shortly before the draw, with the forward now set to begin his season in Iraqi football with a place in the Gulf Champions League for Clubs on the schedule.