CAF Draw Hands Shooting Stars Tough Test as Rivers United Get Favourable Route

Posted : 07 August 2026

Nigeria's representatives in the 2026/27 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup have discovered their preliminary round opponents following Thursday's draw held at the Confederation of African Football headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

Shooting Stars face the toughest challenge among the Nigerian clubs after being paired with Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. The Ibadan-based club will host the first leg before travelling to Tunisia for the decisive return fixture.

The Oluyole Warriors are making their return to continental football for the first time in 27 years. CS Sfaxien are one of Africa's most successful clubs and have won the CAF Confederation Cup three times, making them one of the favourites in the competition.

If Shooting Stars overcome the Tunisian side, they will face either AF Amadou Diallo of Côte d'Ivoire or East End Lions of Sierra Leone in the second preliminary round. Victory in that tie would secure a place in the group stage.

Nigeria's other Confederation Cup representatives, Elkanemi Warriors, were drawn against UDIB of Guinea-Bissau in the opening round. A successful outcome would set up a difficult second-round clash with Moroccan heavyweights Raja Casablanca for a place in the group stage.

In the CAF Champions League, Nigerian champions Rangers International will begin their campaign against Benin Republic's SOBEMAP FC. Rangers are expected to start as favourites, but a second-round meeting with either ASN Nigelec of Niger or Algerian champions MC Alger could prove far more demanding.

Rivers United, Nigeria's highest-ranked club in CAF competitions, appear to have received a more favourable path. The Port Harcourt side will face FC San Pedro of Côte d'Ivoire in the first preliminary round.

Should Rivers United progress, they will meet either Uganda's Vipers SC or Mauritanian champions FC Nouadhibou in the second preliminary round. While both clubs have continental experience, Rivers United will be confident of competing for a place in the lucrative group stage.

CAF has scheduled the first-leg matches of the opening preliminary round for September 4 to 6, with the return fixtures taking place from September 11 to 13. The second preliminary round will be played between October 16 and 25, with the winners advancing to the group stage of their respective competitions.

The draw presents contrasting challenges for Nigeria's four representatives. While Shooting Stars and Elkanemi Warriors face difficult assignments against experienced continental opponents, Rangers International and Rivers United will be aiming to take advantage of favourable draws as they seek to boost Nigeria's presence in African club football this season.

CAF Draw Hands Shooting Stars Tough Test as Rivers United Get Favourable Route

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