Nigeria’s representatives will face AS Sobemap and FC San Pedro respectively as they begin their quest for continental glory.
Nigeria’s representatives in the 2026/27 CAF Champions League, Rangers International and Rivers United, have discovered the opponents standing between them and a place in the competition’s group stage following Thursday’s preliminary round draw in Cairo, Egypt.
The draw, conducted at CAF headquarters, mapped out the route for clubs hoping to qualify for Africa’s premier club competition, with 61 teams entering this season’s tournament.
While top-ranked clubs Mamelodi Sundowns, Espérance de Tunis, and RS Berkane received byes into the second preliminary round, Rangers and Rivers United will begin their continental campaign from the opening qualifying stage.
Rangers Draw AS Sobemap
Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Rangers International have been paired with AS Sobemap of Benin Republic in the first preliminary round.
The Flying Antelopes are scheduled to host the first leg before travelling for the return fixture as they seek to progress to the next phase.
Victory over Sobemap would set up a more demanding second preliminary round tie against either MC Alger of Algeria or ASN Nigelec of Niger Republic, with the Algerian champions widely regarded as favourites to advance.
Rivers United Face FC San Pedro
Former NPFL champions Rivers United were handed a difficult assignment against FC San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire.
Finidi George’s side will be aiming to improve on last season’s continental campaign and must first overcome the Ivorians to keep their hopes alive.
Should Rivers United progress, they will face either Uganda’s Vipers SC or Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou in the second preliminary round for a place in the group stage.
Road to the Group Stage
The first preliminary round will be played over two legs, with the opening fixtures scheduled for September 4–6, while the return matches are set for September 11–13.
The second preliminary round is billed for October 16–18, with the decisive return legs taking place between October 23–25.
Only the winners of the second preliminary round will advance to the lucrative group stage of the CAF Champions League.
Nigerian Clubs Eye Continental Revival
Both Rangers and Rivers United will be hoping to make a deeper run in this season’s competition after falling short of expectations in previous campaigns.
Nigeria continues to search for its next CAF Champions League winner, with Enyimba remaining the country’s only club to lift the prestigious trophy, having achieved the feat in 2003 and 2004.
A strong performance from either Rangers or Rivers United this season would represent a significant boost for Nigerian club football and improve the country’s standing in continental competitions.
Enyimba remain the only Nigerian club to have won the CAF Champions League, having lifted the prestigious trophy twice.