Star line-up for CAF Cup play-offs

Cairo: Three ties between former African champions highlighted the CAF Confederation Cup play-offs draw made Tuesday in Cairo.

Tunisian clubs are involved in all the match-ups with Club Africain playing Egyptians Al Ahly, Esperance meeting Ghanaians Hearts of Oak and Etoile Sahel facing Moroccans Raja Casablanca.

Ahly are the title-holders having pipped Ivorians Sewe San Pedro on away goals in the two-leg final after a 2-2 aggregate deadlock.

Four other former CAF Champions League winners, Ivorians ASEC Mimosas, Congolese V Club, South Africans Orlando Pirates and Egyptians Zamalek, are featured in the draw.

ASEC play Tunisians CS Sfaxien, V Club meet Malians Stade Malien, Pirates face Guineans Kaloum and Zamalek tackle Congolese Sanga Balende.

The only tie not involving former champions pits AC Leopards from Congo Brazzaville against Nigerians Warri Wolves.

Although the second-tier African competition, the Confederation Cup line-up is much stronger this season than the more lucrative and prestigious CAF Champions League.

The Champions League groups field includes just two teams who have conquered the continent, defending champions Algerians Entente Setif and Congolese TP Mazembe.
CAF Confederation Cup draws

Play-offs

Al Ahly (EGY) v Club Africain (TUN)

Esperance (TUN) v Hearts of Oak (GHA)

AC Leopards (CGO) v Warri Wolves (NGR)

CS Sfaxien (TUN) v ASEC Mimosas (CIV)

V Club (COD) v Stade Malien (MLI)

Orlando Pirates (RSA) v Kaloum (GUI)

Zamalek (EGY) v Sanga Balende (COD)

Etoile Sahel (TUN) v Raja Casablanca (MAR)
First legs: May 15-17, second: June 5-7
Groups

A: Ahly or Africain, Esperance or Hearts, Etoile or Raja, V Club or Malien

B: Zamalek or Balende, Sfaxien or ASEC, Leopards or Wolves, Pirates or Kaloum
Match dates: June 26-28, July 10-12 and 24-26, Aug 7-9 and 21-23, Sept 11-13
Note: group winners and runners-up qualify for semi-finals