By Jacob Ajom

The draw for the 2011 CAF Interclubs competition was held  yesterday in CAF headquarters in Cairo.  Fifty-five clubs will compete for the Orange Champions League and and 52 clubs for Orange Confederation Cup.

Two time CAF Champions League winners, Enyimba International Football Club of Aba have an uphill task in the 2011 competition as they have been paired to confront Congolese champions Saint Michell de Ouenze in the preliminary round.

The Nigerian champions will be away in the first leg which holds January 28, 29 or 30 in Congo, while the return leg takes place in Aba two weeks later.

Enyimba’s compatriots in the same competition, Kano Pillars who were 2009 semi finalists will travel to Monrovia to keep a date with Liberian champions, Mighty Barrole Football Club the same weekend.

Pillars who are doing well presently in the local league look good enough to overrun their little known opponents as the Nigerian side parade  some of the best materials in the local scene.

Eight clubs, including holders, TP Mazembe of Congo Democratic Republic, Esperance of Tunisia, Al Ahly of Egypt, Stade Malien of Mali, Ittihad of Libya, Hilal of Sudan, El Marrikh of Sudan and Dynamos of Zimbabwe drew bye.

In the Confederation Cup draw released yesterday in Cairo, Nigerian representatives, Sunshine Stars of Akure and Kaduna United will have to wait till first round matches are held before they know their opponents as the two teams drew bye in the first round.

Kaduna United will commence hostilities against winner of the first round matches between Fullah Edifice FC of Chad and Sony de Ela Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.

On their part. Sunshine Stars of Akure will have to wait for winner between DFC 8e Arrondissement of Central African Republic and Tiko United of Cameroun.