The MC Alger face a difficult CAF Champions League group after being drawn alongside five-time winners Zamalek, while the RS Berkane and Esperance Tunis have been handed lengthy away journeys in the 2026-2027 competition.

The group-stage draw, conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday, produced several challenging ties. The competition begins on 27 November.

The field is unusually open this season. Holders Mamelodi Sundowns were eliminated in the second preliminary round, while last season’s finalists AS FAR and record winners Al Ahly are competing in the CAF Confederation Cup instead.

That has increased the opportunities for other contenders, including RS Berkane and Esperance Tunis, who both reached the semi-finals last season.

Long journeys for Berkane and Esperance

RS Berkane were placed in Group C with Simba SC, Orlando Pirates and Colombe Sportive. The Moroccan side will travel around 24,000 km, with matches in Tanzania, South Africa and Cameroon.

Despite the logistical demands, Berkane will start as one of the leading candidates to finish top. They reached the semi-finals last season and qualified for the group stage by beating Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy 3-0 on aggregate.

Simba SC finished fourth in their group last season but secured an emphatic return to this stage by defeating 15 de Agosto 9-1 on aggregate.

Orlando Pirates did not reach the group stage last season, but have improved under Abdeslam Ouaddou. The coach guided them to the domestic title and will make a notable return to Morocco. Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive, who eliminated Senegal’s Teungueth FC 3-0 on aggregate, complete the group.

Esperance Tunis will cover approximately 18,000 km in Group A, including two trips to Angola to play Petro Atletico and Wiliete SC. Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou are the other team in the section.

The Tunisian club, featuring Youcef Belaili, only narrowly qualified. After losing the first leg 1-0 to Libya’s Swehly SC, Esperance recovered in the return match before advancing on penalties.

Petro Atletico overturned a two-goal deficit against Scottland FC to qualify 3-2 on aggregate. Wiliete SC caused the biggest surprise in the preliminary rounds, eliminating defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns after a 0-0 draw and a 1-1 draw, with Mabululu their main star.

FC Nouadhibou also showed resilience by defeating Ivory Coast’s FC San Pedro 3-2 on aggregate.

Tough test for MC Alger

MC Alger qualified after a dramatic comeback against Nigeria’s Rangers International but were placed in a demanding Group B. Zamalek, five-time winners and last season’s CAF Confederation Cup finalists, are their principal rivals.

Young Africans will also bring familiar memories for MC Alger. The Tanzanian club finished one point behind them in 2024-2025, while they beat JSK 3-0 last season. Club Africain complete the group after eliminating TP Mazembe in the second preliminary round, setting up a potential fierce derby against MC Alger.

In Group D, MAS de Fes face Pyramids FC, Al Hilal Omdurman and Horoya AC. The Moroccan champions qualified against ASEC Mimosas by a 3-2 aggregate score.

Pyramids FC, crowned in 2025, beat El Merriekh Bentiu 5-0 on aggregate. Al Hilal Omdurman, last season’s quarter-finalists, defeated Sidama Bunna 4-0 overall, while Horoya AC are regulars at this stage. With no clear favourite for second place behind Pyramids, the battle remains open.