Rangers, Rivers United Set for Tough CAF Champions League Qualifiers
ABUJA — Nigerian representatives Rangers International and Rivers United have learned the opponents they must overcome in the opening qualifying round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League following the official draw.
Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League champions Rangers International will take on AS Sobemap of Benin Republic. The Flying Antelopes are scheduled to host the opening leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne before travelling for the decisive second leg.
AS Sobemap will be making their first appearance in continental football after winning the Beninese top-flight title for the first time last season.
Should Rangers progress, they will face either ASN Nigelec of Niger Republic or Algerian champions MC Alger in the second qualifying round, with a coveted place in the competition's group stage on the line.
Meanwhile, Rivers United will begin their campaign away to Ivorian champions San Pedro, before welcoming the West African side for the return leg in Nigeria.
San Pedro also enter the tournament as domestic champions after securing their maiden league title and will be aiming to continue their impressive form on the continental stage.
A successful outing for Rivers United would set up a second-round clash against either Vipers SC of Uganda or FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania.
The first-leg matches are scheduled to be played between September 4 and 6, while the return fixtures will take place from September 11 to 13.
Nigeria will also be represented in the CAF Confederation Cup, where Shooting Stars have been paired with Tunisian outfit CS Sfaxien, while President Federation Cup winners El-Kanemi Warriors will face União Desportiva Internacional de Bissau (UDIB) of Guinea-Bissau in the opening qualifying round.
The 2026/27 campaign marks the first time since the 2019/20 season that Nigeria will have two clubs competing in both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup simultaneously.
All four Nigerian clubs are now expected to intensify preparations as they aim to secure places in the next round of Africa's premier inter-club competitions.
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