Nigeria: CAF Champions League - Rangers, Rivers Utd Learn Opponents
[Vanguard] Rangers International and Rivers United have been drawn against their opponents for the first qualifying round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League.
Rangers International and Rivers United have been paired with their opponents for the opening round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League. The Nigerian clubs will face AS Sobemap from Benin Republic and San Pedro from Ivory Coast, respectively. Rangers, who clinched the Nigeria Premier Football League title last season, will host AS Sobemap at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne before traveling for the return game.
AS Sobemap is set to make their continental debut after claiming their first league title in Benin Republic last season. Should Rangers advance, they will confront the winner between ASN Nigelec of Niger Republic and Algerian giants MC Alger in the next qualifying round, with a spot in the group stage on the line. Rivers United, meanwhile, will commence their tournament away from home against San Pedro before returning to host the Ivorian side.
San Pedro secured their inaugural league title in Ivory Coast last season and aims to build on that momentum in their continental run. If Rivers United progress, they will square off against either Uganda's Vipers or FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania in the following qualifying round for a shot at the group stage. The first-leg matches are slated for September 4-6, while the return matches will be held from September 11-13.
Nigeria also fields two clubs in the CAF Confederation Cup. Shooting Stars have been matched up against Tunisian club CS Sfaxien, while President Federation Cup winners El-Kanemi Warriors will take on Guinea-Bissau's União Desportiva Internacional de Bissau (UDIB). Nigeria's representation in both tournaments marks a first since the 2019/20 season, when Enyimba and Rangers represented the country.
The four Nigerian clubs will now focus on preparing for their respective continental journeys, with the first qualifying ties kicking off in September. AllAfrica compiles news from over 90 news organizations and 500 other sources, offering a diverse range of perspectives on every issue. Publishers are responsible for the content of their respective reports, which AllAfrica does not have the legal authority to edit or verify.
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