By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Egyptian giants Zamalek have been pooled with compatriots Al Masry, as well as South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, in the group stage draw for the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup.
The draw was conducted in Johannesburg on Monday afternoon.
Zamalek, who have lifted the Confederation Cup twice, sacked Belgian coach Yannick Ferrera at the weekend after poor domestic results. Egyptian Ahmed Abdel Raouf took over.
USM Alger – champions of the CAFCC in 2022-23 – are in Group A alongside Mali’s Djoliba Bamako, OC Safi of Morocco and Ivory Coast club San Pedro.
Group B is comprised of three-time Champions League winners Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, DR Congo’s AS Maniema, and the East African duo of Azam FC (Tanzania) and Nairobi United (Kenya).
Group C’s seeded team is CR Belouizdad of Algeria (Champions League group stage participants for the last five seasons running), who will battle South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC (CAFCC semifinalists in 2024-25), Congo’s AS Otoho and Singida Black Stars of Tanzania.
The group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup will get underway on the weekend of 21-23 November.
CAF Confederations Cup Draw
Group A
USM Alger (ALG), Djoliba (MLI), Olympique Safi (MAR), San Pedro (CIV)
Group B
Wydad Casablanca (MAR), Maniema Union (COD), AZAM (TAN), Nairobi Utd (KEN)
Group C
Chabab Belouizdad (ALG), Stellenbosch (RSA), AS Otoho (CGO), Singida Black Stars (TAN)
Group D
Zamalek, Al Masry (both EGY), Kaizer Chiefs (RSA), ZESCO Utd (ZAM).