NPFL Clubs Battle for Supremacy in CAF Competitions

NPFL Clubs Battle for Supremacy in CAF Competitions

Precious Oham

Nigeria's representatives in the 2025/26 CAF Club Competitions - Remo Stars, Rivers United, Abia Warriors and Kwara United are geared up for the task beginning this weekend, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Despite the repeated failures of Nigeria clubsides to shine in the continent's showpiece competitions in previous seasons, the 2025/26 campaign promises to be a time for redemption.

With the recent prize money announcement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the clubs are in line for a major financial boost if they go far in the competition.

The Nigeria champions, Remo Stars will take on Comoros side US Zilimadjou in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, while Rivers United faces FC Les Aigles du Congo, on 21 and 27 September in the first round of Champions League qualifying.

The reigning Nigeria champions, under the tutelage of Daniel Ogunmodede, are tipped by football enthusiasts and stakeholders to scale through to the next round of the competition.

The Ikenne-based side, who have garnered the experience over the years, after Adams Olamilekan made history to score their first ever goal in a CAF Inter club competition in 2022, are expected to impress their teeming fans.

Their compatriots, Rivers United, are in Kinshasa, DR Congo to face off with FC Les Aigles du Congo at the iconic Stade des Martyrs Stadium. 

The Pride of Rivers began their campaign in Nigeria's top-flight with impressive performances, going unbeaten in four games. 

The managerial acumen of Finidi George, alongside experienced players like in-form Omaka Anthony, Ubong Friday, who got the decisive goal that sealed the win against 3SC, will be vital in navigating these critical matches In the CAF Confederation Cup, debutants, Abia Warriors will take on Djoliba AC of Mali in the preliminary round first-leg clash on Sunday. 

The match is scheduled for 4:00 PM at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, marking Abia Warriors’ first-ever appearance in a continental competition. 

Imama Amapakabo's Abia Warriors side has a mountain hill to climb against an experienced side but however, but he will rely on key players such as Ali Ishaku, Imoh Obot, Casmir Azubuike, Yakub Hammed, Fatai Abdullahi, Gabriel Innocent, Chimezie Njoku, Emmanuel Ogbuagu, Osahon Osaoboh, Paul Samson, and Lawal Suraju to rise to the occasion.

Though playing away from their Umuahia base, Abia Warriors will feel at home at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, a ground that has hosted the Super Eagles and several top Nigerian clubs in CAF competitions.

The tie will be decided over two legs, with the return fixture scheduled for September 28 at Stade Mamadou Konaté in Bamako.

The winners on aggregate will progress to the second preliminary round in October.

In the same vein, Kwara United's Tunde Sanni has declared the readiness of his side ahead of their debut campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup against Ghana's Asante Kotoko.

Sanni, who had praised his side for their composure and resilience under pressure in the league encounter with Warri Wolves, described the result as a good boost ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup fixture

"It was a good game and a good test ahead of Asante Kotoko. I believe Asante cannot do more than what Wolves did here today, and if we can survive this, we can survive in Ghana."

As the four clubs file out this weekend to represent the country and make their fans proud, nothing less than decent results are expected from the sides.