After making it out of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League without kicking a ball in anger in the second leg, Chad’s Gazelle FC have an almost insurmountable task to prosecute in the first round.
The club, whose best finish in continental football is the first round of qualifiers, has been drawn against recent runners-up, Zamalek Sports Club.
Gazelle made it to the next round after cash-strapped Djibouti side, GR SIAF failed to make it to N’Djamena for the reverse fixture of their encounter.
Zamalek, five-time champions of the CAF Champions League are one of Africa’s best football clubs and will fancy their chances a lot against the Chadian side.
Nigerien champions, AS SONIDEP also face a difficult task against champions, Al Ahly. Ahly has won the CAF Champions League a record 9 times, winning its first in seven years just a fortnight ago.
In other fixtures, Mali’s Stade Malien will face last season semi finalists, Wydad Casablanca. Senegal champions Tengueth FC will face Raja Casablanca.
Racing Club Abidjan of Ivory Coast and Guinea’s Horoya will slug it out in what promises to be a fierce West African fixture.
Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya will face Esperançe of Tunisia. Gabon’s AS Bouenguidi will face Congolese giants, TP Mazembe. Ghana’s Asante Kotoko will face Sudan’s Al Hilal.
Botswanan side, Jwaneng Galaxy will Square up against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. Mbabane-based Young Buffaloes will face DR Congo’s AS Vita Club.
Primero Agosto of Angola will face Premier Soccer League side, Kaizer Chiefs. In an interesting North African fixture, MC Algiers of Algeria will face CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.
Nigeria’s Enyimba will face Sudan’s Al Merreikh, Zambia’s Nkana will face Angola’s Petro Atletico, Zimbabwean champions Platinum will face Tanzania’s Simba Sports Club while Algeria’s CR Belouizdad will play against Kenya’s Gor Mahia.