Nigerian teams participating in the upcoming CAF inter-club competitions are eagerly anticipating the release of the match schedule, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled its calendar for the 2024/2025 season.
Rangers International, having clinched the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, and Remo Stars, who finished second, will both compete in the prestigious CAF Champions League.
Meanwhile, Enyimba, who secured third place, will join the CAF Confederations Cup, aiming to add to their storied history in continental competitions.
CAF 2024/25 season commences in August
The season is set to commence in August 2024 with the preliminary rounds of the competitions, marking the start of a journey that will see clubs from across Africa vying for supremacy.
Group stage matches are slated to take place from October to December 2024, providing an intense period of football action. Fans can look forward to thrilling encounters as top clubs battle it out for a place in the knockout rounds.
The knockout phase, culminating in the finals, will be held between March and May 2025, promising high-stakes matches that will determine the ultimate champions.
In terms of team eligibility, the top 12 ranked African nations based on CAF rankings will be permitted to enter two clubs each into both the Champions League and Confederations Cup.
This regulation ensures that the best teams across the continent have the opportunity to compete at the highest level, enhancing the overall quality of the competitions.
New format for this season
A significant change has been introduced to the competition format this season. Previously, teams eliminated in the second round of the Champions League had the opportunity to transfer to the Confederations Cup.
However, this system has been abolished. Now, clubs that advance from the Confederations Cup's second preliminary round will progress directly to the group stage, streamlining the competition and adding a new layer of excitement and challenge for the participating teams.
On June 29th, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, Abia Warriors and El-Kanemi Warriors will face off in the President's Cup.
The winner of this encounter will secure the honor of being Nigeria's second representative in the CAF Confederations Cup, alongside Enyimba.
Currently, the reigning champions of the CAF Champions League are Al Ahly of Egypt, a club with a rich history of success in African football.
Meanwhile, another Egyptian side, Zamalek, holds the CAF Confederations Cup title.
The dominance of Egyptian clubs in these competitions highlights the high level of competition NPFL teams will face as they embark on their CAF campaigns.
