By Irom Daniel
Nigeria’s representatives in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League, Remo Stars and Rivers United, have discovered their preliminary round opponents following Friday’s draw in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
In the first preliminary round, NPFL winners Remo Stars will take on US Zilimadjou of Comoros. A win over the island side will set up a daunting second-round clash against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the tournament’s top favourites.
Rivers United, the 2023 another NPFL side, will face the reigning Congo DR champions in their first-round tie. Victory in that fixture will pit them against either AC Léopards of Congo or Mozambique’s Black Bulls in the second preliminary round.
Both Nigerian clubs must navigate tough fixtures to secure a place in the lucrative group stage, where only the continent’s elite compete.
The first legs of the preliminary round will be played between September 19–21, with the return legs scheduled for September 26–28. Second-round matches are set for mid-October.
With the stakes high and pride on the line, Nigerian fans will be hoping Remo Stars and Rivers United can fly the NPFL flag deep into Africa’s premier club competition.
