YAOUNDE - Egyptian archrivals Al Ahly and Zamalek have been drawn in the same group for the African Champions League, lining up the prospect of some riveting competition in the coming months.

YAOUNDE - Egyptian archrivals Al Ahly and Zamalek have been drawn in the same group for the African Champions League, lining up the prospect of some riveting competition in the coming months.

The two clubs, who share the record of five victories in Africa's top club competition, are in Group A with the Ivory Coast's ASEC Abidjan, who are playing in the league format for a record ninth time, and Dynamos of Zimbabwe.

The Harare club knocked out defending champions Etoile Sahel of Tunisia in the third round last week.

Two-time champions Enyimba of Nigeria will be favourites in Group B after being paired with Al Hilal of Sudan, who were semifinalists last year, Cameroon newcomers Coton Sport and TP Mazembe Englebert of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who won the last of their two titles 40 years ago.

The league phase starts in July with the top two finishers in the groups advancing to October's semifinals. The final is played over two legs at the end of October and in November.

l African Champions League group fixtures after the draw in Yaounde, Cameroon on Saturday:

GROUP A

On July 18-20:

In Cairo:

Al Ahly (Egypt) v Zamalek (Egypt)

In Harare:

Dynamos (Zimbabwe) v ASEC Abidjan (Ivory Coast)

On August 1-3:

In Cairo:

Zamalek v Dynamos

In Abidjan:

ASEC Abidjan v Al Ahly

On August 15-17

In Cairo:

Al Ahly v Dynamos

In Cairo:

Zamalek v ASEC Abidjan

On August 29-31

In Abidjan:

ASEC Abidjan v Zamalek

In Harare:

Dynamos v Al Ahly

On September 12-14

In Cairo:

Zamalek v Al Ahly

In Abidjan:

ASEC Abidjan v Dynamos