NPFL Set to Host Jos Preseason Tournament for Continental Clubs

Posted : 13 August 2026

The Nigeria Premier Football League has announced a six-team preseason tournament for Nigerian clubs preparing for the 2026/27 CAF inter-club competitions. The tournament will take place in Jos, Plateau State, from August 18 to 23.

Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors will participate as Nigeria’s continental representatives. Plateau United and Mighty Jets have been invited as wildcard teams for the competition.

The NPFL confirmed that the tournament will be played at the New Jos Stadium. The event is designed to give the participating clubs competitive preparation ahead of the start of the CAF competitions in September.

Rangers will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League after winning the 2025/26 NPFL title. Rivers United, who finished second in the league, will also compete in Africa’s premier club competition.

Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup. Shooting Stars earned their continental place after finishing third in the NPFL, while El-Kanemi secured their ticket by winning the 2026 President Federation Cup.

The tournament comes at an important stage of the clubs’ preparations. The NPFL board has already urged Nigeria’s continental representatives to begin their preparations early and improve the country’s recent record in African club competitions.

NPFL chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye previously charged the qualifying clubs to prepare seriously for their continental campaigns. He said their preparation had to start immediately after the domestic season because they would be carrying Nigeria’s hopes in Africa.

Rangers enter the tournament as the reigning Nigerian champions. They secured the title on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign after defeating Ikorodu City 2-1 in Lagos. Rivers United finished second despite recording a 3-0 victory over Katsina United on the same day.

Shooting Stars also finished third after their final-day defeat to Niger Tornadoes. Their league position was enough to secure a place in the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Federation Cup winners El-Kanemi Warriors.

The Jos tournament will also provide Plateau United and Mighty Jets with the opportunity to test themselves against some of Nigeria’s leading clubs. Plateau United will have the benefit of playing in familiar surroundings at the New Jos Stadium.

Meanwhile, Rangers, Rivers United and Shooting Stars are already competing in the ValueJet preseason tournament in Ikenne. El-Kanemi Warriors are absent from that competition, making the Jos event particularly important for their preparations.

With the CAF competitions approaching, the NPFL tournament offers the four continental representatives additional competitive action. The six-day event is expected to help the clubs assess their squads and sharpen their readiness before their African campaigns begin.

NPFL Set to Host Jos Preseason Tournament for Continental Clubs

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