Nigeria’s representatives in the 2026/27 CAF Champions League, Rivers United and Rangers International, have discovered their opponents for the first preliminary round of Africa’s premier club competition.
Rivers United will take on Ivorian side FC San Pédro in what promises to be a fiercely contested two-legged tie as the Port Harcourt-based club begins its quest for a place in the competition’s group stage.
Former Nigeria Premier Football League champions Rangers International have also been handed a West African opponent, with the Flying Antelopes set to face Benin Republic’s AS Sobemap in the opening qualifying round.
The first preliminary round will be played over two legs. The first-leg fixtures are scheduled to hold between September 4 and 6, while the return matches will take place from September 11 to 13.
Both Nigerian clubs will be aiming to secure aggregate victories to advance to the second preliminary round, bringing them a step closer to the lucrative group phase of the CAF Champions League.
The draws set the stage for an exciting start to the continental campaign, with Rivers United and Rangers carrying Nigeria’s hopes of making a strong impact in Africa’s elite club competition.
