Kwara United will face Ghanaian heavyweights Asante Kotoko, while debutants Abia Warriors have been handed a stern test against Mali’s Djoliba in the preliminary round of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.
The draw, conducted on Saturday at the Azam Media Studios in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, set the stage for Nigeria’s representatives in both the CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Champions League.
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Abia Warriors secured their spot after finishing third in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), while Kwara United booked their ticket by winning the President’s Cup with victory over Abakaliki FC.
It will be a daunting challenge for Kwara United, who finished 14th in last season’s NPFL, as they take on 25-time Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko, who ended their domestic campaign in third place.
Abia Warriors, meanwhile, will be making their maiden continental appearance against a seasoned Djoliba side that narrowly missed out on the Malian league title, finishing just four points behind champions Stade Malien Djoliba also reached the second qualifying round of the 2022/23 CAF Champions League.
The two-legged preliminary ties are scheduled for September 19–21 and 26–28, 2025, with winners progressing to the next stage in October.
In the CAF Champions League, NPFL champions Remo Stars have been drawn against Comoros side US Zilimadjou, while Rivers United will face the champions of DR Congo, yet to be determined. Both teams will begin their campaigns during the same September weekends.
Remo Stars, competing in the CAF Champions League preliminary round for the third time, will be eager to break their run of early exits.
The Ikenne-based side, Remo stars has bolstered its squad, including the acquisition of former Enyimba and APR striker Victor Mbaoma.
Victory over US Zilimadjou would set up a clash with South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, who received a bye to the second round.
Rivers United will start their campaign away from home against the eventual DR Congo champions in what promises to be a challenging opener.
With all four Nigerian clubs targeting group-stage berths, the September fixtures promise high-stakes action and a major test of Nigeria’s continental ambitions.
