It's no surprise that two-time defending champions Al Ahly have easily qualified for the group stage. After a 1-1 draw in Niamey against the modest team of USGN, the Red Devils have unfolded in Cairo. Indeed, they put a beating on the Nigerians (6-1). Surprised and eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Teungueth FC last season, Raja avoided the same misfortune. The Moroccans, winners of the 2021 Confederation Cup, beat the Oilers of Liberia without much difficulty, winning both the first leg (2-0) and the second (4-0).
The surprise came from DR Congo. TP Mazembe, five-time champions of the competition, are out of the competition. The Crows were eliminated by AmaZulu (South Africa), coached by former South African international Benni Mc Carthy. The South Africans were new to the CAF Champions League. TP Mazembe can however console themselves with the CAF Cup, where they will play the play-offs.
The 16 qualifiers for the CAF Champions League
Al Ahly SC (Egypt), Al Hilal (Sudan), Al Merreikh (Sudan), Amazulu FC (South Africa), CR Belouizdad (Algeria), ES Tunis (Tunisia), ES Setif (Algeria), Horoya AC (Guinea), Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Atletico Petroleos (Angola), Raja Casablanca (Morocco), Sagrada Esperanca (Angola), Wydad AC (Morocco), Zamalek SC (Egypt)