A Purely Egyptian Showdown in the Confederation Cup: Zamalek Faces Al-Masry in Group D
On Monday evening, the South African capital Johannesburg hosted the draw for the group stage of the 2025/2026 African Confederation Cup. The results featured an eagerly anticipated Egyptian clash between Zamalek and Al-Masry in Group D, a matchup awaited by fans of both Egyptian and African football.
The draw, held at the studios of the official CAF broadcasting partner, SuperSport, placed Zamalek—winners of the 2023/2024 edition—into a challenging group alongside Al-Masry, the South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, and Zambian side Zesco United. This fiery group promises plenty of excitement.
In the remaining groups, Arab teams took the spotlight, with Algerian club USM Alger leading Group A along with Mali’s Djoliba, Moroccan side Olympique Safi, and Ivorian team San Pedro.
Meanwhile, Group B is headed by Moroccan team Wydad Casablanca—three-time African Champions League winners—who will face Congo’s Maniema, Tanzania’s Azam, and Kenya’s Nairobi United, a newcomer to the tournament.
Group C features Algerian side CR Belouizdad alongside South African team Stellenbosch, Congolese outfit Otoho, and Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars.
The group stage matches are set to take place from November 21 to 23, with two rounds being played before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025, and the competition will resume in January 2026.
It’s noteworthy that Moroccan side RS Berkane is the defending champion after claiming their third title—matching the record of Tunisia’s Sfaxien—by defeating Tanzania’s Simba in the final.
Financial rewards for the tournament will reach $2 million for the champion and $1 million for the runner-up, while teams progressing to the quarter-finals are guaranteed a minimum of $550,000, with third and fourth place teams receiving $400,000 each.
As the exciting matchup between Zamalek and Al-Masry draws near, football fans are gearing up to witness one of the most competitive editions in the history of the African Confederation Cup, where local thrills blend with continental challenges in the race for the prestigious title.
