Nigeria Set To Have Three Or More Clubs In CAF Champions League Next Season

Nigeria Set To Have Three Or More Clubs In CAF Champions League Next Season

Sampson Adedeji

Nigeria could have three or more representatives in the CAF Champions League from next season if a new proposal currently being discussed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is approved, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Major discussions reportedly took place within CAF on Friday over a possible reform of the CAF Champions League format aimed at expanding participation for Africa’s highest-ranked football federations.

According to the proposal under consideration, the top 12 ranked African federations could be allowed to enter three or even four clubs in the competition instead of the current two representatives.

Nigeria is among the countries mentioned in the discussions alongside Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, Libya, DR Congo, South Africa, Sudan and Tanzania.

The proposed reform is expected to increase competition and further boost the profile of the continent’s premier club competition by allowing more top clubs from leading football nations to participate.

However, CAF is yet to make a final decision on the proposal as further consultations are expected within the various CAF committees before any official approval is announced.

If eventually approved, the new format could create scenarios where several top clubs from the same country compete in the tournament in the same season. 

Morocco, for example, could have clubs like Wydad Athletic Club, Raja Casablanca, RS Berkane and ASFAR featuring simultaneously in the competition.

For Nigeria, the development could provide more opportunities for clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League to compete at the continental level and gain greater exposure in African football.