Moroccan and Tunisian clubs won nine of the 15 finals between them in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.
Tunisian outfit CS Sfaxien lead the way with a record three titles, including back-to-back victories in 2007 and 2008, and they were drawn against Nkana FC from Zambia.
Fellow Tunisians and twice trophy-holders Etoile Sahel will be favoured to eliminate Waleed Bakhet-inspired Al Hilal of Sudan.
Bakhet scored twice last weekend in a 4-1 hammering of Nkana to top the scoring charts on six goals with Godwin Aguda from eliminated Enugu Rangers of Nigeria.
Gor Mahia of Kenya need to perform better away from Nairobi if they hope to overcome Renaissance Berkane of Morocco, whose stars include Togolese striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba.
Hopes of two Moroccan semi-finalists could be dashed by nine-time CAF title winners Zamalek of Egypt, who have already defeated Ittihad Tangier from the north African kingdom.