KAMPALA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan Premier league champions KCCA FC have been drawn to face African giants Al Ahly in the group stage of the 2018 Total CAF Champions League.
KCCA FC eliminated CNaps FC of Madagascar and St. George (Ethiopia) to qualify for the group stage of the lucrative competition.
In the draws made on Wednesday evening on Cairo, Egypt, KCCA FC who became Uganda's first club to make it to the group stage of the Champions League, are in group A alongside Africa's record eight time champions Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance (Tunisia) and Botswana champions Township Rollers FC.
"This is a tough draw, but if we plan well we can make it to the quarter finals. Last year we managed to beat a team from Egypt and Morocco in the Confederation Cup, so we can also do it," KCCA FC captain Timothy Awany told Xinhua on Wednesday.
Former KCCA FC legend Jackson Mayanja said it is a great honor for KCCA FC to be playing against top sides like Al Ahly and Esperance. "This will be good for KCCA FC to feature against Africans giant clubs with strong histories," said Mayanja.
KCCA FC will play their first game in the group stages away from home against Township Rollers between May 4-6. Uganda Cranes midfielder Ivan Ntege features for the Botswana team.
In the draws made at the Ritz Carlton, defending champions Wydad Casablanca have been placed alongside 2016 Champions Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Horoya (Guinea) and AS Togo (Togo) in Group C. Group B has Diffa El Jadidi (Morocco), MC Alger (Algeria), ES Setif (Algeria) and former champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo.
Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel are in Group D alongside Mbabane Swallows (Swaziland), Zesco United (Zambia) and Angola's Premero de Agosto. The draw was also made for the CAF Total Confederations Cup second round.
