Overview
- CAF will stage the round‑of‑16 group draws for the Champions League and Confederation Cup at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in 6th of October City following publication of seeded pots.
- Champions League pots place Arab clubs in the top seed, with Pot One containing Zamalek, Pyramids, Esperance and Berkane while lower pots include Al‑Hilal, Orlando Pirates, Nouadhibou and Wiliete.
- Confederation Cup Pot One lists Al‑Ahly, USM Alger, AS FAR and a qualifier between CR Belouizdad and FC Nouadhibou, with Raja, Maniema, Azam and CS Sfaxien in Pot Two.
- The preliminary rounds produced a major upset when holders Mamelodi Sundowns were knocked out by Angola’s Wiliete, removing a pre-tournament favorite and altering projected group balances.
- Because clubs from the same countries appear across different pots, the draw has a high chance of Arab‑versus‑Arab ties and same‑nation pairings, a development that will affect travel, gate interest and broadcast matchups in the group stage.