El-Kanemi, 3SC know Confederation Cup opponents

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Enugu Rangers, have been drawn against Benin Republic’s SOBEMAP in the preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League, while their compatriots, Rivers United, will face FC San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire at the same stage.

The draw held in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday, revealed both the first and second preliminary rounds of the championship, with clubs now knowing the route they must navigate to reach the lucrative group stage.

Rivers United, which finished second in the 2025/26 NPFL, have the tougher challenge as they face the Ivoirians, who are aiming to make their mark in the continental game despite their low ranking.

Rivers United entered the competition as one of CAF’s seeded Level 3 clubs, thanks to their performances in recent continental campaigns and a CAF coefficient that ranks them 24th in Africa with 15 points.

On paper, Rivers United head into the tie as favourites, with San Pedro sitting 60th in CAF’s latest club rankings.

On the other hand, Enugu Rangers entered the competition as one of the tournament’s unranked clubs, meaning they were placed in Level 5 of CAF’s seeding system.

They were subsequently drawn against SOBEMAP of the Benin Republic in a West African encounter that promises to be closely contested.

If Rangers defeat SOBEMAP, they will meet either Niger Republic’s ASN Nigelec or Algerian giants MC Alger in the second preliminary round of the competition.

For Rivers United, victory over FC San Pedro will earn them a clash with either Uganda’s Vipers or Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou for a place in the group stage.

The first preliminary round will be held between September 4 and 6 (first legs) and September 11 and 13 (second legs).

The second preliminary round is scheduled between October 16 and 18 (first legs), with the return fixtures held between October 23 and 25.

Meanwhile, two other Nigerian clubs, 3SC of Ibadan and ElKanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, have been drawn against three-time champions, Sfaxien of Tunisia and UDIB of Guinea-Bissau respectively in the first qualifying round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Should Shooting Stars overcome Sfaxien, they will face either AF Amadou Diallo or East End Lions in the second preliminary round.

The Oluyole Warriors secured their place in the competition after finishing third in the Nigeria Premier Football League last season, marking their return to continental football for the first time in 27 years.

El Kanemi Warriors, who qualified by winning the President Federation Cup, will face UDIB in the first preliminary round. If they advance, they will meet two-time CAF Confederation Cup winners Raja CA in another daunting test.

The first-leg matches of the opening preliminary round are scheduled to take place between September 4 and 6, while the return fixtures will be played from September 11 to 13.

he second preliminary round is scheduled for October, with the winners advancing to the group stage of the competition.