The MC Alger have been drawn alongside five-time winners Zamalek, Young Africans and Club Africain in Group B of the 2026-2027 CAF Champions League, while RS Berkane face a demanding 24,000km schedule in Group C.

The group-stage draw, conducted by CAF on Wednesday, has produced several high-profile contests. The competition begins on 27 November and is unusually open after holders Mamelodi Sundowns were knocked out in the second qualifying round. Last season’s finalists AS FAR and historic contenders Al Ahly are competing in the CAF Confederation Cup this year.

RS Berkane, semi-finalists last season, will travel to Tanzania, South Africa and Cameroon to play Simba SC, Orlando Pirates and Colombe Sportive. The extensive itinerary could create a significant challenge in managing the squad, although the Moroccan side will be regarded as the group’s leading contender after beating Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy 3-0 on aggregate.

Simba finished fourth in their group last season but reached this stage in emphatic fashion, overcoming 15 de Agosto 9-1 on aggregate. Orlando Pirates did not make the group stage last year, but have improved under Abdeslam Ouaddou, who guided them to the domestic title and will return to Morocco for the matches. Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive complete the section after eliminating Senegal’s Teungueth FC 3-0 on aggregate.

Esperance face extensive travel

Esperance Tunis are also facing a demanding campaign in Group A, with two trips to Angola to meet Petro Atletico and Wiliete SC contributing to an estimated 18,000km of travel. Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou complete the group.

The Tunisian side, featuring Youcef Belaili, required a late recovery to qualify. After losing the first leg 1-0 to Libya’s Swehly SC, they turned the tie around before winning the return match on penalties.

Petro Atletico recovered from a two-goal deficit against Scottland FC to qualify 3-2 on aggregate. Wiliete SC are the group’s surprise package, having eliminated defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns after two draws, 0-0 and 1-1. Their star is Mabululu. FC Nouadhibou also showed resilience by beating Cote d’Ivoire’s FC San Pedro 3-2 on aggregate.

MC Alger reached the group stage after a dramatic comeback against Nigeria’s Rangers International but were placed in a difficult Group B. Zamalek were last season’s CAF Confederation Cup finalists, losing the final on penalties to USM Alger, while Young Africans narrowly finished behind MC Alger by one point in 2024-2025. The Tanzanian club finished above JSK last season, including a 3-0 victory. Club Africain complete the group after their impressive elimination of TP Mazembe and will face MC Alger in a derby.

Group D features Morocco’s MAS de Fes, Pyramids FC, Al Hilal Omdurman and Horoya AC. MAS de Fes progressed 3-2 on aggregate against ASEC Mimosas, but face opponents with greater continental experience. Pyramids FC, champions in 2025, beat El Merriekh Bentiu 5-0 on aggregate, while last season’s quarter-finalists Al Hilal overcame Sidama Bunna 4-0. Horoya AC, regulars at this stage, complete a group in which the battle for second place behind Pyramids is wide open.