Enyimba are Nigeria’s only representatives in the Champions League, and they would be looking to leave a mark
Nigeria Professional Football League champions Enyimba will play Lybian giants Al Ahli Benghazi, while Remo Stars will square off against Ghanaian side Medeama in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, Soccernet reports.
Nigeria has only two representatives for the Champions League, and Enyimba qualified after winning the last NPFL season. Remo Stars also qualified after finishing in second place.
Ahead of next season, CAF have held draws for next season’s Champions League competition. In the draws that were held on Tuesday, Enyimba will take on Al Ahli Benghazi in their first game of the qualifiers, while Remo will play Medeama.
Enyimba and Remo will play the first legs away from home, and that will be between the 18-20 of August. Then they will return to Nigeria for the return legs one week later.
If Enyimba win, they will take on the winner of the tie between Coton Sports(Benin) and ASEC Mimosas(Ivory Coast). And if Remo Star can get a win, they will play the winner of the tie between Bo Rangers(Sierra Leone) and LISCR(Liberia). If the Nigerian sides manage to survive the four games, they will earn a place in the group stages of the Champions League.
Meanwhile, in the Confederations Cup, Nigeria’s two representatives, Bendel Insurance and Rivers United, already know their fates. Insurance have a very tough fixture ahead as they play ASO Chlef of Algeria. If they survive that, they will then meet Moroccan side RS Berkane.
Rivers United will not play in the first round. They will play the winner of the tie between Ziguinchor and Etoile Filante. A win for them would seal their spot in the group stage of Africa’s second-tier competition.
