Mazembe & Ahly join Champs Lge

Mazembe are going for a record third straight title.

Holders TP Mazembe enter the Champions League fray this weekend against Simba of Tanzania as the second qualifying round kicks off.

Al Ahly of Egypt also make their debut in this year’s competition with a home game against SuperSport United of South Africa.

Two former winners go against each other in the game between Club Africain of Tunisia and Zamalek of Egypt.

Another eight former champions are also in action across the continent.

Since successfully defending the title last year, Mazembe have finished runners-up behind Inter Milan in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Their opponents Simba have had regular but largely unsuccessful African campaigns and made hard work of qualifying from the previous round against Mitsoudje from the Comoros Islands.

Though civil strife within the country has seen the Egyptian league suspended, Ahly have been playing friendlies in Saudi Arabia.

Portuguese coach Manuel Jose is back with the club for his third spell in charge after Hossam al-Badry quit and they will be favourites to go through against SuperSport, who are without their suspended Liberian striker Anthony Laffor.

Other former champions in action are Entente Setif and Mouloudia Alger of Algeria, Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast, Enyimba of Nigeria, Esperance and V Club of DR Congo.