The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has successfully retained its four continental slots for the 2026/27 CAF season after the conclusion of this year’s interclub qualifiers.
RS Berkane’s qualification for the CAF Champions League group stage and Rivers United’s progress to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage played a decisive role in ensuring Nigeria remained among Africa’s top 12 nations in the CAF rankings.
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The retention was further boosted by the elimination of Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli, meaning no Libyan club will feature in the group stages of either CAF competition this season. That development ensured Nigeria’s advantage in coefficient points, strengthening its continental standing.
Mali climbed to 11th in the CAF rankings, overtaking both Nigeria and Libya. However, Nigeria held firm in 12th position, while Libya slipped to 13th, losing ground in the race for continental relevance.
The absence of Libyan clubs in the group stages means their league cannot add more coefficient points, while Rivers United’s progress keeps Nigeria’s ranking active and competitive.
The NPFL must continue maintaining consistent representation in CAF competitions to secure the country’s place among the top 12 nations — the threshold guaranteeing four continental slots.
Notably, the last time Nigeria had three clubs in CAF group stages was in 2009, with Heartland and Kano Pillars in the Champions League and Bayelsa United in the Confederation Cup.
With this achievement, the NPFL will retain two slots in the CAF Champions League and two in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. This ensures Nigeria remains among Africa’s elite leagues heading into the 2026/27 campaign, despite only Rivers United reaching the group stage this term.
Remo Stars, Kwara United, and Abia Warriors exited early in the preliminary rounds, but Rivers United’s resilience has proved crucial in protecting Nigeria’s continental status.
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