'Clash of the Pharaohs' avoided

There was great anticipation as the draw was made

Champions League groups in full

Egypt giants Al Ahly and Zamalek have been kept apart in the draw for the African Champions League.

There was massive anticipation in Cairo that the two, who are by far the most successful clubs in Africa, might be paired in the competition for the first time.

The atmosphere was intense as the president of Zamalek took to the stage.

The stucture of the draw meant that while top seeds Ahly and Esperance had been purposely kept apart, Zamalek, who were unseeded, had as much chance of making one group as the other.

There was great media interest in the event

But the smile on the president's face as he drew his team in Group B - alongside Esperance, Costa Do Sol and ASEC Abidjan, was very visable.

The draw has still provided for much drama, however.

Ahly still have North African rivals Raja Casablanca to contend with, and the atmosphere at the game is unlikely to be friendly.

And while Ahly would be favourites to top Group A, Group B looks much harder to call.

Amongst the four, only competition newcomers Costa Do Sol could be considered outsiders in the race to make the semi-finals.

Champions League groups

Group A

Al Ahly (Egypt)
Jeanne D'Arc (Senegal)
TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Raja Casablanca (Morocco)

Group B

Costa Do Sol (Mozambique)
Esperance (Tunisia)
Zamalek (Egypt)
ASEC Abidjan (Ivory Coast)