Cairo: Surprise CAF Confederation Cup group-stage qualifiers Nkana were given a tough task after the draw in Cairo Tuesday.
The Zambian club must tackle Egyptians Al-Ahly, Tunisians Etoile Sahel and Ivorians Sewe San Pedro in Group B with the top two finishers reaching the semi-finals.
Nkana shocked CA Bizertin in the play-offs last weekend, forcing a 1-1 draw in Tunisia after a goalless first leg on the Zambian copperbelt.
Ahly have won a record 18 CAF titles, including eight in the CAF Champions League, and are widely regarded as the team to beat in the second-tier competition.
But the retirement of stars like Mohamed Abou Trika and having to play behind closed doors because of a volatile Egyptian security situation have handicapped the Cairo Red Devils.
Etoile Sahel from Mediterranean resort Sousse are also formidable opponents, being the only club to win all five CAF club competitions.
The Red Brigade lifted the 2006 Confederation Cup, were runners-up two years later and are recovering this year under French coach Roger Lemerre from a slump.
Sewe impressed in the play-offs, defeating Nigerians Bayelsa United home and away to secure a last-eight place.
Group A comprises Cameroonians Coton Sport, Ivorians ASEC Mimosas, Malians Real Bamako and Congolese AC Leopards.
Coton edged Angolans Petro Atletico in a seven-goal play-off thriller and want to shed an African `bridesmaid` tag.
The club from northern cotton city Garoua finished runners-up to Ahly in the 2008 Champions League and to Moroccans Raja Casablanca in the 2003 CAF Cup.
ASEC striker Foba Koffi is among the leading Confederation Cup scorers this season with five for the former Champions League winners.
The Abidjan club that have developed many Ivorian stars conquered Africa in 1998 and another good CAF club run is long overdue.
Real Bamako edged fellow Malians Djoliba to reach the group stage and combative Leopards surprisingly won the Confederation Cup two years ago.
The six-matchday mini-league schedule kicks off over the weekend of May 16-18 and concludes late August.
AFP
First Published: Tuesday, April 29, 2014, 16:44
