Zamalek draw Al Masry and Kaizer Chiefs in CAF Confederation Cup ‘group of death’

Egyptian powerhouse Zamalek have been handed a challenging path in the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup after being drawn alongside Al Masry, Kaizer Chiefs and Zesco United in what has been dubbed the tournament’s “group of death.”

The draw, held in Johannesburg on Monday afternoon, placed the two-time Confederation Cup champions in Group D.

Despite entering the draw as the top-ranked team, Zamalek face fierce competition from familiar and formidable opponents.

Their domestic rivals Al Masry will be keen to upset the Cairo giants, while South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs – 2001 African Cup Winners’ Cup champions and 2020–21 Champions League runners-up – bring pedigree and ambition.

Zambia’s Zesco United, multiple domestic champions and seasoned continental campaigners, complete the tough quartet.

Elsewhere, defending champions USM Alger headline Group A. The Algerian side are drawn with Mali’s Djoliba Bamako, OC Safi of Morocco, and Ivorian club San Pedro.

Group B features Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, three-time CAF Champions League winners, who will take on DR Congo’s AS Maniema, Tanzanian side Azam FC, and Kenya’s Nairobi United.

Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, a regular in the Champions League group stage over the past five seasons, lead Group C.

They face South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC, semifinalists in last season’s Confederation Cup, alongside Congo’s AS Otoho and Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars.

The 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup group stage is scheduled to kick off on the weekend of November 21–23, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals.

With four former continental champions in one group, all eyes will be on Zamalek’s quest to defend their crown.

The Egyptian giants will need to draw on experience and consistency to navigate a group brimming with history, rivalry, and ambition.

CAF Confederation Cup group stage draw

Group A

– USM Alger (Algeria)

– Djoliba Bamako (Mali)

– OC Safi (Morocco)

– FC San Pedro (Ivory Coast)

Group B

– Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

– AS Maniema (DR Congo)

– Azam FC (Tanzania)

– Nairobi United (Kenya)

Group C

– CR Belouizdad (Algeria)

– Stellenbosch FC (South Africa)

– AS Otoho (Congo)

– Singida Black Stars (Tanzania)

Group D

– Zamalek (Egypt)

– Al Masry (Egypt)

– Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)

– Zesco United (Zambia)