Accra, Dec 4, GNA - Defending Champions, Accra Hearts of Oak has been paired against FC 105 of Gabon in the preliminary round of the 12th MTN CAF Champions League while Ashantigold faces Sahel SC of Niger. Information gathered by GNA Sports from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters has it the "Phobians" have been pitched against their Gabonese counterparts during the Draw for the 2008 Inter Clubs Championship conducted on Tuesday afternoon in Cairo. The nation's other competitor, Ashantigold was handed what seems to be a relatively easier opponent when paired with Sahel SC of Niger at the same stage.

The two Ghanaian sides will travel away for their first leg matches fixed for the weekend of February 15 - 17 with the second leg fixed for February 29 - March 2 next year.

The winner of the Hearts-FC 105 encounter will meet Algerian giants JS Kabylie at the 1/16th stage whilst the winner of the Ashgold-Sahel match will face the winner of the Chad league champion- TP Mazembe clash.

Chad is yet to declare their champions.

Meanwhile, Kumasi Asante Kotoko have drawn a bye from the preliminaries of the Confederations Cup and will face Wikki Tourist of Nigeria in the 1/16th round between the weekend of March 21 to 23, 2008. The Porcupine Warriors will travel to Buachi for the first leg encounter with the second leg scheduled for Kumasi between April 4 and 6, 2008.

The three clubs are representing the nation in next year's continental club championships.