The Nigeria Professional Football League’s contingent for the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League campaign, Remo Stars and Rivers United, have discovered their respective opponents ahead of the first round of qualifying matches, Footynaija.com reports.
Remo Stars secured a spot in this season’s edition of Africa’s premier club competition after winning their first ever NPFL title last term while Rivers United snapped up the only other available slot by finishing as runners-up.
Having booked their place among Africa’s elite, both clubs will need to successfully battle their way through two rounds of preliminary matches if they are to qualify for the group stage of the tournament.
Remo Stars, making their third appearance at the stage in the last three years, are set to face Comorian club side US Zilimadjou in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round of matches.
The NPFL champions will welcome their Comorian counterparts to the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne for the first leg of this crucial clash in mid October before visiting Stade de Moroni Moroni for the second leg just one week later.
Meanwhile, Rivers United have drawn yet to be determined Democratic Republic of Congo champions for their first round of qualifying matches.
If Remo Stars manage to get past US Zilimadjou, a tough second round tie against South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns will be their reward. As for Rivers United, they will face one of AC Leopards or Black Bull if they reach the second round.
No Nigeria Professional Football League side has managed to reach the CAF Champions League group stage since Lobi Stars did so in the 2018/2019 season. Whether this season’s representatives can end this poor streak remains to be seen.