Soccer-Holders Al Ahly handed favourable African Champions League draw

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - CAF Champions League - Final - Second leg - Wydad AC v Al Ahly SC - Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca, Morocco - June 11, 2023 Al Ahly SC players celebrate with the trophy after winning the CAF Champions League REUTERS/Abdelhak Balhaki/File Photo

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Holders Al Ahly of Egypt were drawn on Friday against opposition from Algeria, Ghana and Tanzania for the group phase of this season’s African Champions League and will be heavily fancied to advance to the knockout stages.

The 11-time champions will play in Group D against Chabab Belouizdad from Algeria, Young Africans of Tanzania and Ghana’s Medeama, who have qualified for the group stage for the first time.