The draw for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) club competition pool stages has thrown up some interesting ties for the nine COSAFA teams remaining in the Champions League and Confederation Cup tournaments.

Defending Champions League holders Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa have been drawn in Group C of this year’s competition alongside DR Congo’s AS Vita Club, Esperance of Tunisia and Ethiopian outfit Saint George.

Mozambican side Ferroviário Beira will have their work cut-out with three trips to North Africa in Group A, including two to Sudan against heavyweights Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh, as well as a visit to Tunisia to face Étoile du Sahel.

CAPS United from Zimbabwe also have a trio of away days in North Africa in Group B against Zamalek (Egypt), Al-Ahli Tripoli (Libya) and USM Alger (Algeria), but they have proven themselves to be resolute already in this year’s competition.
Zambian club ZANACO have an incredibly tough Group D as they face-off against Al-Ahly (Egypt), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) and CotonSport (Cameroon)

In the Confederation Cup, Group B pits South African side Platinum Stars against Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland, with both of those sides appearing at this stage of the competition for the first time.

They take on the North African duo of Esperance (Tunisia) and MC Alger (Algeria) in what is a tough pool for both.

Group C also has two COSAFA sides in it as Zambian side Zesco United meet Recreativo do Libolo from Angola.
They too will have to travel to North Africa as well with Egyptian side Smouha and Al-Hilal Al-Ubayyid also in the pool.
SuperSport United are in Group D along with DR Congo giants TP Mazembe, Horoya from Guinea and Gabon outfit CF Mounana.

The group stage ties start on the weekend of May 12-14 and finish on the weekend of 7-9 July. The top two in each pool advance to the quarterfinals.