A CAF Champions League team's manager has admitted he is glad to have avoided both Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns in the group stage.
Following two preliminary rounds, CAF confirmed the group-stage draw for the 16 remaining teams in the competition earlier this week.
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Downs find themselves in Group B alongside AS FAR, Raja Casablanca and Maniema Union.
Al Ahly, meanwhile, were drawn in Group C with CR Belouizdad, Orlando Pirates and Stade d'Abidjan.
The coach of Group D side Sagrada Esperança, Rocky Sabiri, has since expressed his relief that his men have avoided some of the continent's powerhouses at this stage of the tournament.
"I think we are playing in a tough group in the African Champions League, as there is a team that is used to winning this tournament, which is Esperance of Tunisia," Sabiri told Channel One.
"All the teams in our group have equal chances despite the differences between the clubs. We have previously faced strong clubs in Egypt and Africa and they may be more difficult than Pyramids. All we have to do is do our job and monitor our opponents.
"Do we feel comfortable avoiding Al Ahly? We cannot look at it this way. At the time of the draw, we expect to face any team and we do not wish to be drawn with this team or avoid another.
"We do not fear any team in the African Champions League, but let me be frank, facing Al Ahly would have been an obstacle for us and it is good to avoid teams like Al Ahly and Sundowns.
"Pyramids did not participate much in the African Champions League, so we have to get to know them more. This is also difficult work.
"In any case, there is a lot of work that we have to do, whether the group is easy or difficult."
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This season's CAF Champions League action is set to kick off on 26 October.