The three Algerian qualifiers were placed together Tuesday when the CAF Champions League groups draw was made in Cairo.

Defending champions Entente Setif, USM Alger and Mouloudia El Eulma are in Group B with Sudanese El Merrikh.

A ranking system determines whether countries are allowed one or two entrants in the elite African club competition, but Algeria got an additional place because title-holders Setif qualify automatically.

Group A comprises Congolese TP Mazembe, Egyptians Smouha, Moroccans Moghreb Tetouan and Sudanese El Hilal.

Each club play their three opponents at home and away between June and September with group winners and runners-up progressing to the semi-finals.

Many pundits are predicting a Setif-Mazembe final and they were the top seeds.

Merrikh and Hilal were also seeded to prevent two Sudanese clubs being in the same group.

But the African Football Confederation (CAF) declined to introduce seeding to block all the Algerian sides going into the same mini-league.

Travel poses challenges for African clubs due to lengthy flights, last-minute schedule changes and limited airline options so the Algerian clubs will be thrilled to have five 'home' games each.

Setif stand out as probable Group B winners with USM or Merrikh likely to join them in the penultimate stage.

USM reached the 2003 semi-finals, Merrikh have not gone beyond the group stage and Eulma are playing in the competition for the first time.

Four-time title-holders Mazembe are clear favourites to top the Group A standings.

Hilal were runners-up in 1982 and 1987 while Smouha and Tetouan are group debutants.

The African champions will collect $1.5 million (1,35 million euros) and qualify for the 2015 Club World Cup in Japan.

CAF Champions League draw

Group A

Smouha (EGY), Moghreb Tetouan (MAR), TP Mazembe (COD), El Hilal (SUD)

Group B

Entente Setif (holders), USM Alger, Mouloudia El Eulma (all ALG), El Merrikh (SUD)

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

Note: group winners and runners-up qualify for semi-finals