The two teams are due to face off in Group B at the continental games with Egypt’s Al Ahly hosting the first phase of the preliminary stage which commences on February 8.
16 teams will compete for places in the top eight and progress in the competition hitherto known as the African Club Championship.
Defenders played against Sportif in the Zone Three qualifiers and beat Sportif en route to qualifying from the zone alongside Rivers Hoopers also from Nigeria.
Ghana’s Braves of Customs missed out on a qualification spot with the above mentioned trio progressing. Sportif and Defenders have been drawn alongside Es Rades from Tunisia and BC Terreur from Congo.
Speaking to FIBA in the aftermath of the draw, Defenders Shooting Guard Joel Ijigba was quite pleased about the second meeting with Sportif.
“We weren’t expecting any particular teams but we’re glad that ELAN Sportif from Benin Republic is in the battle with us. The Beninoise team is known to us and we understand how they play.”
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
