Al Merreikh’s Abugreisha slams CAF for choosing Mosimane

CAF chose

boss

Pitso Mosimane

to draw the 16 sides for the

’s group stages.

Al Ahly’s draw handed them a rough team as they have to face Mamelodi, Sundowns, Al Hilal, and Al Merreikh.

Like last year,

have been drawn in the same group as Al Ahly as the two sides will lock horn to earn a qualifying spot.

Adel Abugreisha

, Al Merreikh’s vice president thinks that choosing Mosimane for the draw was a mistake, as he is one of the team’s coaches.

“

For the first time, one of the coaches of the 16 participating teams that qualified for the Champions League was involved in the draw,”

Abugreisha told Al-Hayah TV.

“We lodged a protest to the Confederation of African Football, through an official letter, through President Hazem Mostafa, because of Mosimane picking the teams in the Champions League draw, and we have not received a response from CAF so far.

“This has nothing to do with our relationship with the clubs, the matter is for the Confederation of African Football, Mosimane was an opponent and a referee in the draw, and this happened for the first time. It’s unjust for the Al Ahly coach to take part in the draw,”

he added.

Abugreisha also reflected on his side’s condition at the moment as they look for a new stadium to feature in.

“

Our stadium is not ready and will not be ready to host our matches in the Champions League,”

he explained.

“We have identified four alternative stadiums before the draw, including Al Ahly Stadium, or Al-Salam stadium in Egypt, next Al-Hilal and Al-Abyad stadiums in Sudan, and another stadium in Ethiopia.

“The decision to choose the stadium will be based on our desire without coordination with CAF, and we hope to play our matches in Sudan, but things are currently unstable due to the country’s situation,”

he concluded.

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