The MC Alger have been drawn against Zamalek SC, Young Africans and Club Africain in Group B of the 2026-2027 CAF Champions League.
The draw, held in Cairo on Wednesday 28 October, also placed RS Berkane in a demanding Group C alongside Simba SC, Orlando Pirates and Colombe Sportive. Esperance de Tunis will face Petro Atletico, FC Nouadhibou and Wiliete SC in Group A.
The absence of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns is one of the major talking points before the competition begins. The South African side were eliminated in the second qualifying round by Angolan club Wiliete SC, leaving the title race more open and giving several former champions an opportunity to challenge for the trophy.
RS Berkane, semi-finalists last season, face a particularly difficult schedule. The Moroccan club will have to travel to Tanzania, South Africa and Cameroon during the group phase.
Their meeting with Orlando Pirates will add further interest, with the South African club managed by Abdeslam Ouaddou. RS Berkane will also have to find a way past Simba SC and Colombe Sportive if they are to reach the knockout stages.
Esperance de Tunis will be wary of Wiliete SC after the Angolan side’s surprise elimination of Mamelodi Sundowns. Petro Atletico are also expected to provide a strong test for the Tunisian club.
MC Alger return to a group containing Zamalek SC and Young Africans, while Club Africain complete the section. The Tunisian side reached this stage after eliminating TP Mazembe.
MAS de Fes will compete in Group D with Pyramids FC, Al Hilal Omdurman and Horoya AC.
The group stage is scheduled to begin in November. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.
CAF Champions League groups
Group A
Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia) Petro Atletico (Angola) FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania) Wiliete SC (Angola)
Group B
Zamalek SC (Egypt) Young Africans (Tanzania) MC Alger (Algeria) Club Africain (Tunisia)
Group C
RS Berkane (Morocco) Simba SC (Tanzania) Orlando Pirates (South Africa) Colombe Sportive (Cameroon)
Group D
Pyramids FC (Egypt) Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan) Horoya AC (Guinea) MAS de Fes (Morocco)