North Africa: Esperance Heads All-North Africa CL Group

Two time winners Esperance of Tunisia will have to overcome an all- North African group if they are to add a third title in this year's Orange CAF Champions League. The draw for the 2014 group stage of the continent's premier inter-club competition conducted in Cairo (Tuesday 29 April) produced fascinating encounters. Recently retired Egyptian international and reigning African Player of the Year based in Africa, Mohamed Abou-Trika was at CAF HQ to assist Secretary General, Hicham El Amrani to do the draw.

Abou-Trika the Al Ahly legend picked out fellow Egyptian side, Zamalek to be in group A where the, five-time winners of the competition will meet two DR Congo sides, TP Mazembe and AS Vita as well as Sudanese giants, Al Hilal. But an equally intriguing contest has been set up in group B where former Dutch star, Ruud Krol now in charge at Esperance will face his last paymasters in CS Sfaxien, a side he led to last year's Confederation Cup victory. The two derbies in both groups will surely light up the competition and to add to the drama, most of group B action might be played in the country of Tunisia should Libyan side Al Ahli Benghazi continue using Tunisia as for their home fixtures as they did in the qualifiers. But with Benghazi set to face two Tunisian sides, it remains to be seen if they will choose another country for their home games else 5 of their 6 games will be in Tunisia and the only away trip be next door in Algeria against Entente Setif.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.