By Bola Yapa Zed | 3rd November, 2025 | Ndola
ZESCO United have been drawn in Group D of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, where they will face Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa and Egyptian giants Zamalek SC and Al Masry SC.
The Ndola-based club, who are making their third appearance in the Confederation Cup group stage, will be hoping to build on their strong qualification campaign that saw them edge out Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana 5–4 on aggregate.
This season’s draw has set up a reunion between ZESCO and Kaizer Chiefs, a familiar foe from the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup, when the Zambian side won both legs — 3–1 at home and 2–1 away. ZESCO will also renew acquaintances with Zamalek SC, whom they last faced in the 2020 CAF Champions League, managing a 1–1 draw in Ndola before losing 2–0 in Cairo.
Meanwhile, this will be ZESCO’s first-ever meeting with Al Masry SC, setting up an intriguing North-South African football rivalry in Group D. Head coach Emmanuel Siwale will aim to make the most of ZESCO’s home advantage at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, where their record remains formidable.
Elsewhere, Group A features USM Alger, Djoliba SC, Olympic Club SAFI, and FC San Pedro, while Group B pits Wydad AC against AS Maniema Union, Azam FC, and Nairobi United FC. Group C includes CR Belouizdad, Stellenbosch FC, AS OTOHO, and Singida Black Stars.
The CAF Confederation Cup group stage is scheduled to kick off on November 21, 2025, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout phase.
