Nigeria’s Clubs Begin CAF Champions League & Confederation Cup Campaigns

Nigerian clubs kick off their continental battles this weekend in the CAF Champions League (CAFCL) and CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC). Remo Stars and Rivers United will represent in the Champions League, while Abia Warriors and Kwara United compete in the Confederation Cup.

Rivers United begin their campaign with a preliminary-round first leg against FC Les Aigles (DR Congo) on Saturday in Kinshasa at the Stade des Martyrs. The return leg takes place next weekend in Uyo at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Remo Stars are also in Champions League action: they will host US Zilimadjou of Comoros at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Sunday, with the reverse fixture set for the following Friday at the same ground.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, Abia Warriors make their maiden continental appearance. They face Djoliba of Mali at home in Uyo on Sunday. Kwara United, on the other hand, will travel to Ghana to play Asante Kotoko on Sunday.

Editorial

We believe this moment marks a critical juncture for Nigerian club football. The continental stage has long been viewed as the proving ground for ambition, depth, and resilience not just of players, but of entire club structures. As Remo Stars, Rivers United, Abia Warriors, and Kwara United prepare to test themselves outside domestic confines, we see both challenge and opportunity.

Abia Warriors’ first-time entrance into CAF competition is particularly significant. It’s a statement not just of their success on the field last season, but of what can be achieved with consistent management, investment, and belief. Yet, newness alone is not enough. They will require experience, tactical flexibility, and mental toughness if they are to survive the rigours of the Confederation Cup.

Rivers United and Remo Stars, with previous continental exposure, carry heavier expectations. They must avoid complacency. Travel, unfamiliar conditions, and the demands of two-legged ties often overturn assumed superiority. The matches in Kinshasa and the home bases will test how well these clubs have prepared—not merely physically, but also logistically and psychologically.

Kwara United’s away match at Asante Kotoko will require discipline and focus. Ghanaian clubs historically pose tough challenges, especially at home. But strong away performances can build momentum, and if handled well, this could be a defining tie for their continental aspirations.

What we expect, then, is not perfection, but urgency: urgency in preparation, urgency in performance, and urgency in seizing the chances that continental exposure affords. To win, or even progress, these clubs will need to rely not just on talent, but on cohesion, strategy, and determination. This is the weekend when Nigerian club football shows whether it is ready to compete, or merely to participate.

Did You Know?

1. Rivers United reached the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2021, marking one of their best continental runs in recent memory.
2. Remo Stars are based in Ogun State and have been growing steadily as a force in domestic competition over the past few seasons.
3. Djoliba Athletic Club, Abia Warriors’ opponent, is one of Mali’s oldest and most successful clubs, with multiple national titles.
4. The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo can hold over 30,000 spectators and has been used frequently for high-profile home matches by Nigerian clubs in continental play.
5. Asante Kotoko, who host Kwara United, are among Ghana’s most decorated clubs and have strong home attendance records, which often serve as an advantage during continental fixtures.