Rangers International, the reigning champions of Nigeria, are set to open their CAF Champions League journey against AS Sobemap from the Benin Republic. The Enugu-based club will host the initial match at home before heading abroad for the return leg.
If the Flying Antelopes succeed in that stage, they will advance to the second preliminary round where they are slated to meet either MC Alger of Algeria or ASN Nigelec from Niger Republic.
Meanwhile, Rivers United have drawn San Pedro of Cote d’Ivoire for their opening challenge. Should Finidi George lead his squad past this opponent, they will battle the winner between Vipers of Uganda and FC Nouadhibou from Mauritania to secure a group stage berth.
The opening round matches are locked in for September 4-6 and September 11-13, 2026. The subsequent round will follow in October, with first-leg games occurring between October 16-18 and second-leg matches from October 23-25, 2026.
