Nigeria’s hopes in the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup rest on Kwara United and Abia Warriors, who both face tricky away assignments as the competition begins this weekend with 26 preliminary round first-leg fixtures across the continent.
Kwara United, winners of the Nigeria Federation Cup, open their campaign in Kumasi against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko, a potential explosive match is expected given the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana.
Read Also: Nasarawa United Reaffirms Support From State Government
With two CAF Champions League titles and a passionate fan base behind them, Kotoko enter as favorites.
But Kwara’s disciplined, athletic squad will be aiming to snatch a crucial away result before hosting the return leg in Abeokuta.
Debutants Abia Warriors are also on the road, making their first-ever continental appearance in Ouagadougou against Burkina Faso’s USFA.
The Umuahia-based side, known for their sharp counterattacks, are determined to make a statement in their maiden outing.
Victory would likely set up a daunting second-round clash with Mali’s powerhouse, Djoliba AC.
Beyond Nigeria’s interests, the preliminary round offers several enticing fixtures. Senegal’s Génération Foot take on Ivory Coast’s Amadou Diallo FC, while Guinea’s Hafia FC face Bhantal FC. In East Africa,
Tanzania’s Azam FC meet Zanzibar’s KMKM SC in a regional derby, and in Southern Africa, Zambia’s Zesco United test Malawi’s Mighty Wanderers.
DR Congo’s representatives lock horns with Angola’s Kabuscorp de Palanca for the right to challenge South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs in the next round.
First-leg games run from 19–21 September, with return fixtures scheduled a week later.
Winners advance to the second preliminary round in October, where group-stage places – and lucrative exposure – await.
Six seeded clubs, including Wydad AC, USM Alger, CR Belouizdad, Zamalek, Al Masry, and Stellenbosch, received byes to the next phase, underscoring the scale of the challenge ahead.
For Kwara United and Abia Warriors, the mission is clear: Break Nigeria’s long-standing jinx in the CAF Confederation Cup and push towards group-stage football.
Whether they can rise to the occasion remains to be seen.
