Young Africans, Al Hilal to face-off in CAF Champions League group stage

CECAFA teams Young Africans SC and Al Hilal have been drawn to face-off in the group stage of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAf Champions League.

In the draw conducted in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday afternoon, the Tanzania Premier League reigning champions Young Africans SC and Al Hilal (Sudan) are placed in Group A that also five time champions TP Mazembe and MC Alger (Algeria).

To reach the group stage, Young Africans SC ejected Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 7-0 on goal aggregate, while Al Hilal saw off San Pedro 3-2 on goal aggregate at the second preliminary round.

Miguel Gamondi, the Young Africans SC head coach will be eager to see that his team go a step further to perform better than they did last season when they reached the quarter final stage. For Al Hilal, who are now playing in the Mauritania Premier League because of the insecurity in Sudan will hope that they can also push a step better and make it to the knockout stage.

But the CECAFA representatives face tricky opposition in TP Mazembe (five times Champions League winners) and tricky MC Alger from Algeria. Interestingly Young Africans SC will host Al Hilal in their opening match between November 26-27, 2024.

South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns have been placed in Group B together with two teams from Morocco Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat (Morocco), together with Maniema Union (DR Congo).

The defending champions who have won the trophy more than any other team Al Ahly (Egypy) will navigate their path in Group C alongside Belouizdad (Algeria), Orlando Pirates (South Africa) andStade d’Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)

Group D also promises to be a tough one pitting Esperance Tunis (Tunisia), Pyramids FC (Egypt), Sagrada Esperança (Angola) and Mali’s Djoliba FC.

GROUP A

TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

Young Africans (Tanzania)

Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan)

MC Alger (Algeria)

GROUP C

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Raja Casablanca (Morocco)

FAR Rabat (Morocco)

Maniema Union (DR. Congo)

GROUP C

Ahly (Egypt)

Belouizdad (Algeria)

Orlando Pirates (South Africa)

Stade d’Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)

GROUP D

Esperance Tunis (Tunisia)

Pyramids FC (Egypt)

Sagrada Esperança (Angola)

Djoliba (Mali)