Steve Biko drawn against ES Sétif in Champions League qualifiers

Gambian champions Steve Biko

Gambia First Division champions Steve Biko have been drawn against Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 club Entente Sportive de Sétif in the preliminary round of the 2014 CAF Champions League qualifiers.

In what looks like a baptism of fire, the Gambian champions, Steve Biko, have been handed a trip to Algeria in their first Champions League appearance. Coach Abdoulie Bojang’s men have been drawn against ES Sétif in the preliminary round of Africa’s most prestigious and lucrative club competition.

Biko travels to Sétif in the weekend of 7-9 February 2014 to face the Algerians before hosting them in the return leg in the weekend of 14-16 February with the winner of the tie facing Senegalese Premier League side Diambars FC or Burkinabé Premier League club Association Sportive du Faso-Yennenga.

Steve Biko boasts a modest record compared to their opponents. Whereas the Bakau outfit have only last season tasted success as Gambian champions and therefore qualified for the Champions League  for the first time in their history, ES Sétif is one of the most successful clubs in Algeria having won the Algerian league 4 times and the Algerian Cup a record eight times.

They are also one of only three Algerian clubs to have won the African Cup of Champions Clubs. They have also won the Arab Champions League twice.

Meanwhile, the Gambian cup winners, Gamtel, seem on paper to have a lighter task, having been paired with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), in the opening round of the Confederation Cup.

Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, who will be participating in their first ever international competition, will host the first leg in Freetown also in the second weekend of February with the return leg in Banjul a week later.

RSLAF finished second in the 2013 Sierra Leone Premier League behind Diamond Stars, their first season in top flight football.

The winner of the two legged fixture will face Moroccan Botola Pro side Difaa El Jadida or Burkinabé Premier League club Association Sportive SONABEL in the first round.