The first round matches of the 2017 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League concluded over the weekend with 16 teams making groups stage.
A few shock exits were recorded notably that of the DRC giants and 5-times winners TP Mazembe. For the second year running the Ravens failed to enter the paid rank – crushing out 1-1 aggregate to Zimbabwe’s CAPS United and will drop to the CAF Confederations Cup.
Nigerian champions Rivers United squandered a 3-0 first leg advantage to dropout 4-0 away to Al Merreikh in Omdurman.
Their exit spelt doom for the West African region, the perceived hot bed of African football, which will now have no representation in the premium continental club football competition.
North Africa once again proved they are force in club football with a whopping 7 entries into the group phase.
They are Al Ahly, Zamalek (Egypt), Etoile Sahel, Easperance (Tunisia), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), USM Alger (Algeria) and Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya).
East Africa has three namely St. George (Ethiopia), Al Hilal and Al Merreikh (Sudan).
Four teams, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundows, who are the defending champions Ferroviario of Mozambique, Zanaco FC of Zambia and Zimbabwe’s CAPS United will represent the Southern African zone.
While AS Vita Club (Congo) and Cotton Sport of Cameroon will carry the Central African flag.
The Full List
North Africa
Al Ahly, Zamalek SC, Al Ahli Tripoli, Esperance, Wydad Casablanca, USM Alger, Etoile Sahel
Southern Africa
Mamelodi Sundowns, Zanaco FC, CAPS United, Ferroviario
East Africa
Al Hilal, Al Merreikh, St. George
Central Africa
AS Vita Club, Cotton Sport.
