Chiefs get Zamalek test in CAF Confed Cup

Kaizer Chiefs were drawn with Egyptian giants Zamalek in the African Confederation Cup group phase but avoided being paired in the same group with Stellenbosch.

Chiefs will also take on Al Masry from Egypt and Zambia’s Zesco United in a tough Group D.

Stellenbosch, who were semifinalists in the competition last season, will be up against top-seeded Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria in Group C as well as AS Otoho from Congo and Tanzanian newcomers Singida Black Stars.

Chiefs’ clash with Zamalek will be the first between the two giants since they met in the old-style African Champions Cup in 1993, which was the first year that South African teams participated in continental club competition.

Chiefs won the first leg in Johannesburg 2-1 but lost 1-0 away in the return match to go out on the away goals rule in the third round of the competition.

Chiefs have also met other Egyptian opposition in Ismalia, who they eliminated on their way to winning the 2001 African Cup Winners’ Cup, and Al Ahly, who they lost to in the 2021 Champions League final.

Chiefs have also played previously against Zesco United in the 2018-19 Confederation Cup where the Zambian club beat them both home and away for a 5-2 aggregate triumph.

Stellenbosch will be up against Belouizdad and their coach Saed Ramovic, who when he was in charge of TS Galaxy was never able to post a win over the Winelands club, including losing the Carling Knockout final two seasons ago.

AS Otoho from Congo lost to Cape Town City in the Champions League three seasons ago.

The top two finishers in each of the four groups advance to the quarter-finals in March.

The Confederation Cup group phase starts on 23 November, and will continue through to mid-February.

THE DRAW:

Group A: USM Alger (Algeria), Djoliba (Mali), Olympique Safi (Morocco), San Pedro (Ivory Coast)

Group B: Azam (Tanzania), Maniema Union (DR Congo), Nairobi United (Kenya), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

Group C: Chabab Belouizdad (Algeria), AS Otoho (Congo), Singida Black Stars (Tanzania), Stellenbosch (South Africa)

Group D: Al Masry (Egypt), Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa), Zamalek (Egypt), Zesco United (Zambia)