Medeama to face Africa’s most successful team

Ghana’s Medeama SC will take on CAF Champions League holders and the competition’s most successful team, Al Ahly SC of Egypt in this season’s tournament. The duo have been paired in Group D alongside 20 times Tanzania Premier League champions, Young Africans and 10 times Algerian Ligue Professional 1 winners, CR Belouizdad.

Medeama SC secured the placement in Group D along with the defending champions following the draw conducted in Johannesburg on Friday. The Ghanaian champions navigated their way to the competition’s group stage following successes against Nigeria’s Remo Stars and Horoya AC of Guinea. The Tarkwa-based club beat Remo Stars 3-2 on penalties after tying 1-1 over two legs. They then dispatched their Guinean counterparts 3-4 on aggregate with a 3-1 home victory and a 2-1 defeat in Conakry.

The Ghanaians are expected to push all the way to the last eight stage in their maiden appearance in the competition. Playing against the three regulars of the CAF elite competition won’t be easy for the Ghanaian champions but the trip to Cairo to face Al Ahly in the 75,000-seater Cairo International Stadium would be their biggest test in the group. Also laying in wait is a trip to Tanzania for the match against Young Africans at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium which holds a capacity of 60, 000 supporters.