JOHANNESBURG — Three ties between former African champions highlighted the CAF Confederation Cup playoffs draw made Tuesday in Cairo.



Tunisian clubs are involved in all the match-ups with Club Africain playing Egyptians Al Ahly, Esperance meeting Ghanaians Hearts of Oak and Etoile Sahel facing Moroccans Raja Casablanca.



Ahly is the title-holder having pipped Ivorians Sewe San Pedro on away goals in the two-leg final after a 2-2 aggregate deadlock.



Four other former CAF Champions League winners, Ivorians ASEC Mimosas, Congolese V Club, South Africans Orlando Pirates and Egyptians Zamalek, are featured in the draw.



ASEC plays Tunisians CS Sfaxien, V Club meets Malians Stade Malien, Pirates faces Guineans Kaloum and Zamalek tackles Congolese Sanga Balende.



The only tie not involving former champion pits AC Leopards from Congo Brazzaville against Nigerians Warri Wolves.



Although the second-tier African competition, the Confederation Cup line-up is much stronger this season than the more lucrative and prestigious CAF Champions League.



The Champions League groups field includes just two teams which have conquered the continent, defending champion Algerians Entente Setif and Congolese TP Mazembe.



CAF Confederation Cup draws Playoffs



Al Ahly (EGY) vs. Club Africain (TUN)



Esperance (TUN) vs. Hearts of Oak (GHA)



AC Leopards (CGO) vs. Warri Wolves (NGR)



CS Sfaxien (TUN) vs. ASEC Mimosas (CIV)



V Club (COD) vs. Stade Malien (MLI)



Orlando Pirates (RSA) vs. Kaloum (GUI)



Zamalek (EGY) v Sanga Balende (COD)



Etoile Sahel (TUN) vs. Raja Casablanca (MAR)



First legs: May 15-17, second: June 5-7



Groups



A: Ahly or Africain, Esperance or Hearts, Etoile or Raja, V Club or Malien



B: Zamalek or Balende, Sfaxien or ASEC, Leopards or Wolves, Pirates or Kaloum



Match dates: June 26-28, July 10-12 and 24-26, Aug 7-9 and 21-23, Sept 11-13. — — AFP