Pitso weighs in on AmaZulu’s CAF Champions League chances

Following the draw at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, AmaZulu were drawn in Group B alongside Raja Casablanca, Horoya and ES Setif.

In their first of six group stage matches, AmaZulu will head to Morocco where they will play Raja Casablanca on the weekend of 11/12 February.

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Reflecting on AmaZulu’s draw, Mosimane said on Soccer Laduma: “AmaZulu can beat any of these teams on its day in South Africa, any team.

“But of course, we know Raja in Morocco they are very strong, you saw them last week. Horoya in Guinea, you don’t come out from there, it’s not easy, try and win home when you play Horoya.

“Setif are just coming back, before they were the big giants. It’s also difficult to get to Setif, it’s not an easy place to go to, so [a] difficult group but you never know.”

Meanwhile, when speaking to the CAF website, AmaZulu captain Makhehlene Makhaula said despite it being a “tough group”, he was confident that Usuthu would be well prepared.

“We are playing against two teams from North Africa and it’s going to be a good experience for us.

“It’s going to be good for South African football and for the people of KwaZulu Natal, our supporters.

“It’s a difficult group but we are going there to compete and not add numbers.”

AmaZulu have a golden opportunity

Usuthu entered the draw earlier this week as one of three unranked sides in Pot 4 – and faced a potentially nightmare scenario in the 16-team group phase.

Instead, they received what was largely seen as a favourable draw alongside the worst-ranked side in Pot 1 (Morocco’s Raja Casablanca), the second-worst side in Pot 2 (Guinea’s Horoya FC) and the worst side in Pot 3 (ES Setif of Algeria).

Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns and reigning champions Al Ahly were both drawn in Group A. The other two sides in that group are Sudan outfits Al-Hilal FC and Al-Merrikh SC.

Only the group winners and runners-up will qualify for quarter-finals.

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE DRAW

Group A: Al Ahly (EGY, holders), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA), Al Hilal, Al Merrikh (both SUD)

Group B: Raja Casablanca (MAR), Horoya FC (GUI), ES Setif (ALG), AmaZulu (RSA)

Group C: Esperance, Etoile Sahel (both TUN), Chabab Belouizdad (ALG), Jwaneng Galaxy (BOT)

Group D: Wydad Casablanca (MAR), Zamalek (EGY), Petro Atletico, Sagrada Esperanca (both ANG)

Matchdays: February 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, Marh 11-12, 18-19, April 1-2

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