The already-tough Group B could see Moroccan champions Wydad Casablanca join in if they beat Tanzania’s Simba Sports in a playoff tie.

Wydad and Simba were given another chance to make it to the group stage after CAF’s decision to disqualify holders Mazembe, who eliminated both teams before the ruling against them.

The other group includes Sudanese champions Hilal, Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon, two-time African champions Enyimba from Nigeria and Morocco’s Raja Casablanca.

Ahli are now braced for a crunch double-header against runners-up Esperance, who controversially ousted the Egyptian champions from last season’s semis.

The group stage will kick off on July 15/16/17.