adminCHAMPIONS Al Ahly and Tunisia’s Esperance are two of six clubs who have been given byes in the preliminary round of the 2014 Caf Champions League.South African champions Kaizer Chiefs were drawn against Namibian giants Black Africa FC in the opening qualifying round, set for February 7-9, with the return leg scheduled for February 14 to16.
The winner will face either Madagascar champions CNAPS or Liga Muculmana of Mozambique in the next stage of the tournament.
A total of 52 clubs have entered for next year’s competition.
The draw for the club competition, staged on Monday in Marrakech, Morocco, sees several past winners of Africa’s foremost club competition – including Zamalek, Enyimba and Raja Casablanca – involved in the preliminary rounds.
Two-time winners Enyimba will host Ange de Notse of Togo, while Zamalek face AS Douanes of Niger and Raja are up against Diamond Stars of Sierra Leone.
Atlabar will become the first club from South Sudan to feature in this competition and they are drawn against Ghana’s Berekum Chelsea.
The Round of 16 matches will be played between February 28 and March 9, while the final qualifying-round matches are slated for March 21-30.
In the Caf Confederation Cup, 42 clubs will compete for the top prize. This year’s winners CS Sfaxien as well as runners-up TP Mazembe have opted for the more prestigious Champions League.
Nigerian pair Bayelsa United and Warri Wolves have been given byes, as have Asec Mimosas (Ivory Coast), MAS (Morocco), Djoliba (Mali), Ismaily, Wadi Degla (Egypt), Zesco United (Zambia), Al Ahly Shandy (Sudan) and Etoile du Sahel, CA Bizerte (Tunisia).
Malakia will be the first club from South Sudan to feature in this competition and they are pitted against Cara of Congo in the preliminary round.
The first-leg preliminary-round matches will begin on February 7. – Sapa/AFP
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter