NPFL clubs in the CAF Interclub competitions this season are set to begin their campaigns on Friday, with El-Kanemi Warriors taking on Dadje FC of Benin.
Alongside the Maiduguri-based club, three other Nigerian teams – Rangers International, Remo Stars, and Enyimba – will be flying the nation's flag in the prestigious tournaments.
CAF inter-club challenge for El-Kanemi Warriors
El-Kanemi Warriors return to continental football after a 19-year absence, having secured their spot by winning the President Federation Cup.
They will face Beninese side Dadje FC in their first-round match. The game will take place on Friday at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, far from their home base in Maiduguri.
El-Kanemi had initially proposed the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja for their home fixtures, but CAF deemed the playing surface unfit for hosting international games.
A subsequent proposal to use the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos was also rejected, forcing the team to relocate to Ikenne for their preliminary game.
Head coach Baba Ganaru Mohammed has bolstered his squad with several new signings, including Henry Ndedi, Agbo Ekoi, Moje Suleiman, Sunday Ajibola, and Clement Naantum.
The club has also added experienced players like Rahman Olanrewaju, Bilal Yakubu, and promising youngster Mohammed Aminu.
Mohammed will be hoping his retooled squad can overcome the challenge posed by Dadje FC. If they succeed, they will face a formidable opponent in Morocco's RS Berkane in the next round.
NPFL champions Rangers International aim for first CAF title since 1977
Rangers International, the champions of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier League season, are making a return to continental competition after their last appearance in the 2016/17 season.
Now under the leadership of CEO Amobi Ezeaku, the team defied expectations to clinch the Nigerian title and will be aiming to make a strong impression in the CAF Champions League.
Managed by Fidelis Illechukwu, who brings valuable continental experience from his time with Plateau United, Rangers will face Zilimadjou FC of Comoros in the preliminary stage.
Unfortunately, the team will not be able to play at their home base in Enugu, as CAF has disapproved the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, instead relocating them to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Ilechukwu has strengthened the squad with new signings such as Terkana Garando, Bashir Usman, Okafor Onyekachi, and goalkeeper Jimoh Abdullahi.
These additions are expected to help the club recapture the glory days of the 1970s when Rangers won the CAF Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977.
While it remains to be seen how the new team will gel, Rangers are expected to comfortably advance to the next round by overcoming Zilimadjou FC.
Remo Stars hope to bury AS FAR ghosts in CAF Champions League
Remo Stars are set to make their third consecutive appearance in continental competition, aiming to reach the group stages for the first time in their history.
They begin their campaign against AS FAR of Morocco, the same team that eliminated them in the 2021/22 edition of the competition.
In that encounter, Remo Stars managed a 1-1 draw in Rabat but suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in Ikenne, ending their hopes of progression.
The following year, their aspirations were again dashed, this time by Ghanaian side Dreams FC, who won 5-4 on penalties after both teams recorded 1-0 home victories.
Determined to overcome past disappointments, head coach Daniel Ogunmodede has reinforced his squad with key signings such as Ibrahim Abubakar, Faisal Sani, Ismaila Souley, Serge Obasa, Alex Oyowah, and Ibrahim Shuaibu.
Remo Stars will hope that these additions, combined with their previous continental experience, will propel them past AS FAR and into the group stages for the first time in their history.
As Nigeria’s representatives gear up for their respective challenges, fans across the country will be watching closely, hoping for a successful campaign that will bring glory to Nigerian football on the continental stage.
