Soccer-Holders Al Ahly get tough draw in Champions League group stage

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Ahli v Al Hilal - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 5, 2024 Al Ahli fans inside the stadium REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

(Reuters) - Defending champions Al Ahly have been drawn in a difficult Group C in the pool stages of the 2024-25 African Champions League where they must negotiate South Africa's Orlando Pirates, CR Belouizdad from Algeria and Stade d'Abidjan of the Ivory Coast.

It is likely to be a tightly contested group with record 12-time winners Ahly from Egypt having not always shown their best form in the pool stages in recent years, despite lifting the trophy in four of the previous five editions.