Shocks and drama as group phase teams emerge

Shocks were aplenty coupled with drama as the qualified teams for the group stage emerged following the completion of the 1/16

As usual, there were some major casualties notably former winners’ AS Vita of DR Congo and Ivorian gaints, ASEC Mimosas. Regular participants El Hilal of Sudan also fell along the road.

For the first time in the history of the premier continental club champions, Botswana, Guinea, Swaziland, Togo and Uganda will have a representation at the mini-league stage in Township Rollers, Horoya, Mbabane Swallows, AS Togo and KCCA respectively.

Angola’s Primero De Agosto is also in the group stage for the first time since 1997. Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Zambia’s Zesco complete the Southern African trio.

Holders Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco remains on course to defend their title, and are joined by fellows Difaa El Jadidi. Tunisia also has two representatives Etoile du Sahel and Esperance, just as Algeria, ES Setif and MC Alger.

Record winners, Al Ahly will carry high the flag of Egypt whilst TP Mazembe of DR Congo stages a comeback after missing out on the party last year.

Meanwhile, the draw will take place on Wednesday, 21 March 2018 in Cairo, Egypt.

Results

Saturday, 17 March 2018

Williamsville (Cote d’Ivoire) 2-0

CF Mounana (Gabon) 1-3

Generation Foot (Senegal) 0-2

UD Songo (Mozambique) 3-0

Bidvest (South Africa) 1-0 (2-3pen)

Sunday, 18 March 2018

Plateau United (Nigeria)

El Hilal (Sudan) 3-1

ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire) 1-2

AS Vita (DR Congo) 2-2

*Teams in bold through to next round

Qualified teams: