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 |  | Wed, 14 Mar 2007 | |
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African Sport
 Champs League draw made Title holders Al-Ahly of Egypt top a list of nine former winners in the 2006 African Champions League draw released in Cairo on Thursday. Ahly received a first round bye, and should have little difficulty overcoming the winners of a tie between the Kenyan champions and Red Sea of Eritrea in the second qualifying phase of the annual $3.5-million competition. Success for the star-studded Red Devils of Cairo would probably set up a clash with experienced Africa Sports of Cote d'Ivoire for a place in the pool phase, where the prize money kicks in with $200 000 guaranteed. Although not the force of old when they lifted the African Cup Winners Cup twice in four final appearances, the Abidjan club appear too strong for Renacimiento of Equatorial Guinea and Stade Malien of Mali or Satellite of Guinea. The other Ivorian representatives, ASEC, were crowned champions in 1998, and their latest challenge begins at East End Lions of Sierra Leone, with the winners tackling Civics of Namibia or Esperanca Sagrada of Angola. Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, runners-up to Al-Ahly this year and Enyimba of Nigeria in the 2004 edition, also received a bye, and kick off their campaign against Polisi of Zanzibar or Civil Service United of Malawi. Enyimba, whose bid for a record third consecutive title ended after a loss to Al-Ahly in Cairo, tackle modest Mangasport of Gabon in the first round, with the victors likely to meet Diaraf of Senegal. Asante Kotoko of Ghana, winners in 1970 and 1983, will be wary of international newcomers Aigle Dschang from Cameroon, while compatriots and 2000 title holders Hearts of Oak have a seemingly simpler task against Gambian outfit Wallidan. Both Moroccan contenders are also former winners, with three-time champions Raja Casablanca paired against Ahmedi of Mauritania, while a bye takes FAR Rabat of Morocco into a showdown with APR of Rwanda or Aviacao of Angola. Orlando Pirates, whose shock 1995 final triumph over ASEC brought South Africa their sole title, drew Mbabane Swallows from the neighbouring kingdom of Swaziland, and should advance with several goals to spare. Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie, a regional Algerian club that have conquered the continent twice, play Al-Ittihad of Libya in a North African derby, with Raja lurking further along the qualification path. There should be no shortage of law enforcement during the early rounds with Botswana, Congo, Uganda and Zanzibar represented by police teams, although the chances of any making significant progress are slim. The Comores, a group of islands off the coast of Africa better known as a tourist resort, make their debut with Coin Nord de Mitsamiouli drawn against ASPL 2000 from Mauritius. First round matches are scheduled for February and March.AFP
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All reports by staff writers/own correspondents/local and international partners. |
