Africa’s premier club football competition, the CAF Champions League makes a return this week, as the group stages of the 2023/24 edition of the competition officially get underway across the continent this Friday.
Following an intense preliminary round that saw some interesting outcomes and upsets, it is now down to the 16 clubs that have been grouped into the four groups of four to resume their continental quest for glory.
The action officially gets underway in Egypt on Friday, 24 November when Pyramids welcomes five-time champions, TP Mazembe who are itching for continental success after last lifting the Champions League trophy in 2015.
In Tanzania, Simba AC welcome Ivorian giants, Asec Mimmosas in a Group B encounter that promises fireworks on the eastern part of the continent on Saturday afternoon.
Later that evening, a Tunisian duel sees ES Tunis playing host to ES Sahel in Tunis with both sides looking at bringing the trophy back to Tunisia after ES Tunis’ last did in 2019.
In another exciting encounter up north, Al Ahly plays host to Ghanaian outfit, Medeama in Cairo as the competition’s record holders look to defend their title.
Last season’s runners-up, Wydad AC will be looking to quickly erase their African Football League disappointment when they welcome the high in confidence Jwaneng Galaxy on Saturday evening, while Mamelodi Sundowns – fresh from their AFL triumph face Mauritania’s Nouadhibou on Sunday afternoon.
CAF Champions League Group Stage Fixtures:
Friday, 24 November
Pyramids vs TP Mazembe
CR Belouizdad vs Young Africans
Saturday, 25 November
Simba AC vs Asec Mimmosas
Atletico Petroleos vs Al-Hilal
ES Tunis vs ES Sahel
Al Ahly vs Medeama
Wydad AC vs Jwaneng Galaxy FC
Sunday, 26 November
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Nouadhibou
CAF Champions League Groups:
GROUP A: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Pyramids FC (Egypt), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania)
GROUP B: Wydad AC (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania), Asec Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire), Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana)
GROUP C: Esperance (Tunisia), Atletico Petroleos (Angola), Al Hilal (Sudan), Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
GROUP D: Al Ahly (Egypt), CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Young Africans (Tanzania), Medeama (Ghana)
Source:norvanreports