Remo Stars, champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), will face US Zilimadjou, winners of the Comoros Premier League, in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
Rivers United will take on the top club from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as Nigerian teams were given challenging fixtures in the draws for the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, held on Saturday at the Azam Media Studios in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Remo Stars and Rivers United booked their places in the Champions League as NPFL champions and runners-up, while Abia Warriors, who finished third, and Kwara United, winners of the President Federation Cup, will represent Nigeria in the Confederation Cup.
Remo Stars, who have fallen at the first hurdle in past attempts, will host US Zilimadjou in Ikenne before travelling to Comoros for the return leg. If they progress, they will face South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in the second round for a spot in the group stage.
Rivers United will start their campaign away in DR Congo against an opponent yet to be confirmed, as the country’s league is still ongoing. In the second round, they could meet either AC Leopard of Congo or Black Bulls of Mozambique.
No Nigerian team has reached the Champions League group stage since the 2019/2020 season.
In the Confederation Cup, Kwara United will face Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko, starting away in Kumasi before hosting the return leg. If they win, they will meet Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, three-time Champions League winners.
Abia Warriors, making their first appearance in the competition, will play Mali’s Djoliba AC, starting at home before travelling to Bamako. A win would see them face either USFA of Burkina Faso or AS Gbohloe SU of Togo in the next round.
The first preliminary round matches will be played between 19–21 September and 26–28 September. The second round will follow between 17–19 October and 24–26 October. Teams that progress will qualify for the group stages starting in November.