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Mamelodi Sundowns became just the second South African side to be crowned African champions

Titleholders South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns have been handed a tricky draw for the group stage of this year's African Champions League.

As well as debutants Saint George of Ethiopia in Group C they will face Esperance of Tunisia and DR Congo's AS Vita Club, who have both been continental champions in the past.

Sudan's two biggest clubs have been draw in Group A as Al Hilal and Al Merreikh are joined by Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia and Mozambique's Ferroviario Beira.

African Champions League: Group A Group B Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) Zamalek (Egypt) Al Hilal (Sudan) USM Alger (Algeria) Al Merreikh (Sudan) Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya), Ferroviario Beira (Mozambique) CAPS Utd (Zimbabwe) Group C Group D Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa, holders) Al Ahly (Egypt) Esperance (Tunisia) Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) AS Vita Club (DR Congo) Coton Sport (Cameroon) Saint George (Ethiopia) Zanaco (Zambia)

The reward for Zimbabwean debutants CAPS United, who beat five-time champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo, is three trips to North Africa.

They are in Group B alongside last year's runners-up Zamalek from Egypt, Algeria's USM Alger and Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya.

The first group games will be played on the weekend of 12-14 May with the top two teams in each group progressing to the quarter-finals.

The first leg of the final is set for the last weekend in October and the second leg being played a week later.