Nigeria’s quartet of Remo Stars, Rivers United, Abia Warriors, and Kwara United will each be guaranteed a financial cushion of USD 100,000 as they embark on their quest in this season’s CAF Interclub competitions.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rolled out the incentive to cover logistical expenses for teams eliminated in the first two rounds of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League, a move designed to encourage wider participation across the continent.

The policy is already yielding results, with a record 62 clubs registering for the tournament, which kicks off with the preliminary stage next month. The first-leg matches are scheduled for September 19–21, with the return legs taking place from September 26–28.

Holders Al Ahly of Egypt and South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns have been handed automatic byes to the second round, while the remaining 60 teams have been seeded into pots according to CAF’s club ranking system. Geographical factors have also been considered to ease travel demands on participating clubs.

The expanded support initiative is part of CAF’s broader strategy to strengthen club football and make participation in its elite competitions more sustainable for teams from all regions of Africa.

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By KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria’s representatives in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League, Remo Stars and Rivers United, have been placed in Pots 3 and 7, respectively, ahead of Saturday’s preliminary round draw in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The draw, which will take place at the Azam Media Studios at 13h00 local time (10h00 GMT), will be broadcast live on CAF’s YouTube channel and through its broadcast partners. A record 62 clubs have registered for this season’s competition and will learn their first opponents during the ceremony.

Remo Stars share Pot 3 with Wiliete SC (Angola), Gaborone United SC (Botswana), US Zilimadjou (Comoros), AC Léopards (Congo), two clubs from DR Congo, Nsingizini Hotspurs (Eswatini), Lioli FC (Lesotho), Elgeco Plus (Madagascar), Silver Strikers FC (Malawi), Cercle de Joachim (Mauritius), African Stars (Namibia), Côte d’Or (Seychelles), Power Dynamos (Zambia) and Simba Bhora FC (Zimbabwe). Teams in the same pot will not face each other in the preliminary stage.

Rivers United, in Pot 7, are grouped with African heavyweights ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire), Orlando Pirates (South Africa) and Atlético Petróleos de Luanda (Angola). Like all other pots, teams within the same group are kept apart in the draw.

The preliminary round first-leg matches will be played between September 19–21, with the return legs scheduled for September 26–28.

Clubs representing Libya and DR Congo were not determined before this report.

POTS FOR THE DRAW
Pot 1: Aigle Noir FC (BUR), ASAS/Djibouti Telecom (DJI), Insurance Company (ETH), Kenya Police FC (KEN), APR FC (RWA), Mogadishu City Club (SOM), Jamus FC Juba (SSD), Mlandege FC (ZAN)

Pot 2:Dadjè FC (BEN), Rahimo FC (BFA), Colombe Sportive (CMR), AS Tempête (CAF/RCA), Fundación Bata (EQG), AS Mangasport (GAB), Bibiani Gold Stars FC (GHA), FC Fassell (LBR), Libya 1 (LBY), Libya 2 (LBY), Forces Armées (NIG), East End Lions (SLE), Real de Banjul (GAM), ASCK (TGO)

Pot 3: Wiliete SC (ANG), Gaborone United SC (BOT), US Zilimadjou (COM), AC Léopards (CGO), RD Congo 1 (RDC), RD Congo 2 (RDC), Nsingizini Hotspurs (ESW), Lioli FC (LES), Elgeco Plus (MAD), Silver Strikers FC (MLW), Cercle de Joachim (MAU), African Stars (NAM), Remo Stars (NGR), Côte d’Or (SEY), Power Dynamos (ZAM), Simba Bhora FC (ZIM)

Pot 4: Horoya AC (GUI), FC Nouadhibou (MTN), ASC Jaraaf (SEN), US Monastir (TUN)

Pot 5:ASFAR (MAR), MC Alger (ALG), JS Kabylie (ALG), Stade Malien (MLI)

Pot 6: Merreikh (SUD), Stade d’Abidjan (CIV)

Pot 7:ASEC Mimosas (CIV), Orlando Pirates (RSA), Atlético Petróleos de Luanda (ANG), Rivers United (NGR)


COMPETITION TIMELINE
Preliminary Round: First Leg – 19–21 September 2025; Second Leg – 26–28 September 2025

Second Preliminary Round: First Leg – 17–19 October 2025; Second Leg – 24–26 October 2025

Group Stage: Begins 21 November 2025

Knockout Phase: Starts 13 March 2026

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Despite consistent appearances in recent CAF Interclub competitions, Nigeria’s Remo Stars and Kwara United are glaring absentees from the latest CAF Clubs’ Ranking released on Friday.

Remo Stars have represented Nigeria in each of the past three seasons, featuring in the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup, the 2023/24 CAF Champions League, and again in the 2024/25 Champions League. Similarly, Kwara United competed in the 2022/23 Confederation Cup, having also featured in the CAF Cup in 1999 and the Confederation Cup in 2007.

Only two Nigerian clubs made the 2025 list — Rivers United, ranked 23rd, and two-time African champions Enyimba, placed 35th despite not competing in continental club football this season. Debutants Abia Warriors remain unranked.

To download a graphic of the CAF Clubs’ Ranking for 2025, CLICK HERE. 

At the top of the rankings, Al Ahly of Egypt maintain their stronghold on African club football, retaining the number one spot with 78 points. The 11-time Champions League winners have claimed four titles in the last six seasons, underlining their dominance ahead of Saturday’s draws for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns sit second with 62 points, followed by Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis (57) in third place. Morocco’s RS Berkane, last season’s Confederation Cup winners, are fourth with 52 points, while Simba SC of Tanzania (48) complete the top five as East Africa’s highest-ranked club.

Egypt’s Pyramids FC (6th, 47 points) and Zamalek SC (7th, 42) add to the North African dominance, alongside Morocco’s Wydad AC (8th, 39) and Raja CA (joint 15th, 30). Algeria’s USM Alger (9th, 37) and CR Belouizdad (10th, 36) round off the top ten.

Some emerging sides have also made notable strides — South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC are joint 21st with 15 points despite limited continental history, while Ghana’s Dreams FC are 26th after a recent impressive run.

The updated rankings will determine seedings for Saturday’s preliminary draws, shaping the path for clubs chasing continental glory in the upcoming season.

CAF CLUBS’ RANKING 2025

1. Al Ahly FC (Egypt) – 78 points

2. Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – 62

3. Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia) – 57

4. RS Berkane (Morocco) – 52

5. Simba SC (Tanzania) – 48

6. Pyramids FC (Egypt) – 47

7. Zamalek SC (Egypt) – 42

8. Wydad AC (Morocco) – 39

9. USM Alger (Algeria) – 37

10. CR Belouizdad (Algeria) – 36

11. Al Hilal SC (Sudan) – 34

11 Young Africans (Tanzania) – 34

13. ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire) – 33

14. TP Mazembe (DR Congo) – 30.5

15. Orlando Pirates (South Africa) – 30

15 Raja CA (Morocco) – 30

17. Atletico Petroleos (Angola) – 27

18. AS FAR (Morocco) – 21

28 MC Alger (Algeria) – 21

20. GD Sagrada Esperança (Angola) – 20

21. CS Constantine (Algeria) – 15

21 Stellenbosch FC (South Africa) – 15

23. Al Masry SC (Egypt) – 14

23 Rivers United FC (Nigeria) – 14

25. JS Kabylie (Algeria) – 13

26. Dreams FC (Ghana) – 12

27. Stade Malien (Mali) – 10.5

28. Horoya AC (Guinea) – 10

29. Future FC (Egypt) – 9.5

30. Etoile SS (Tunisia) – 9

30 Marumo Gallants FC (South Africa) – 9

32. E.S. Setif (Algeria) – 8

32 FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania) – 8

32 Abu Salim SC (Libya) – 8

35. Enyimba FC (Nigeria) – 7

35 ASC Jaraaf (Senegal) – 7

35 Coton Sport FC de Garoua (Cameroon) – 7

38. CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) – 6.5

39. Jwaneng Galaxy FC (Botswana) – 6

39 US Monastirienne (Tunisia) – 6

39 Al Merrikh SC (Sudan) – 6

39 Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) – 6

43. CD Lunda-Sul (Angola) – 5

43 FC Bravos do Maquis (Angola) – 5

43 Stade d’Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) – 5

43 Djoliba AC de Bamako (Mali) – 5

43 AS Maniema Union (DR Congo) – 5

43 CSMD Diables Noirs (Republic of Congo) – 5

43 AS Vita Club (DR Congo) – 5

50. Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) – 4

50 Medeama SC (Ghana) – 4

50 Al Hilal Benghazi (Libya)

50 Sekhukhune United (South Africa) – 4

50 Club Africain (Tunisia) – 4

50 Al Ittihad (Libya) – 4

50 AmaZulu (South Africa) – 4

57. FC St Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo) – 3

57 AS Real de Bamako (Mali) – 3

57 ASKO de Kara (Togo) – 3

57 Vipers SC (Uganda) – 3

61. Orapa United (Botswana) – 2.5

61 Associação Black Bulls (Mozambique) – 2.5

63. A.P.C. de Lobito (Angola) – 2

63 S.O.A.R. (Guinea) – 2

63 SuperSport United (South Africa) – 2

63. JS Saoura (Algeria) – 2

63 AS Otohô (Republic of Congo) – 2

63 DC Motema Pembe (DR Congo) – 2

69. Al Akhder (Libya) – 1.5

70. Royal Leopards FC (Eswatini) – 1

70 US Gendarmerie Nationale (Niger) – 1

70 Zanaco FC (Zambia) – 1

70. Teungueth FC (Senegal) – 1

70 Nkana FC (Zambia) – 1

75. Salitas FC (Burkina Faso) – 0.5

75 Ahli Benghazi (Libya) – 0.5

75 Namungo FC (Tanzania) – 0.5

75 Napsa Stars FC (Zambia) – 0.5

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