CAFCL/CC: Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars To Play Home Games At Neutral Venues

CAFCL/CC: Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars To Play Home Games At Neutral Venues

Sampson Adedeji

Nigeria's representatives in the 2026/27 CAF inter-club competitions will be forced to play their home matches away from their traditional home grounds after their stadiums failed to receive approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The affected clubs include Rangers International, Rivers United and Shooting Stars, who will now have to select alternative venues for their home fixtures in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

CAF has approved only three stadiums in Nigeria to host international club matches. The approved venues are the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, and the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

With their regular home grounds not meeting CAF's requirements, the affected clubs are expected to choose one of the three approved stadiums as their temporary home venue for the continental campaign.

The development means the Nigerian clubs will have to play in unfamiliar surroundings, potentially losing the home advantage provided by their traditional supporters during the upcoming CAF inter-club competitions.