Shooting Stars and El Kanemi Learn CAF Confederation Cup Opponents

Nigeria's representatives in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup have learned the opponents they must overcome to reach the competition's group stage.

The draw, held in Cairo on Wednesday, handed both Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and El Kanemi Warriors challenging paths in Africa's second-tier club competition.

Shooting Stars, who are returning to continental football for the first time in 27 years after finishing third in the Nigeria Premier Football League, have been drawn against CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in one of the biggest first preliminary round fixtures.

The Tunisian giants are among the most successful clubs in the competition's history, having won the CAF Confederation Cup three times. If the Oluyole Warriors pull off an upset, they will face either AF Amadou Diallo of Côte d'Ivoire or East End Lions of Sierra Leone in the second preliminary round.

President Federation Cup winners El Kanemi Warriors also face a difficult route.

The Maiduguri-based club will begin their campaign against UDIB in the first preliminary round. Victory would earn them a second-round clash against Moroccan powerhouse Raja Casablanca, two-time winners of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The preliminary rounds will be played over two legs, with the first matches scheduled for 4–6 September and the return fixtures taking place 11–13 September. The second preliminary round will be played in October, with the winners advancing to the 16-team group stage.

The 2026/27 edition of the CAF Confederation Cup features 56 clubs, with the eight highest-ranked teams receiving byes into the second preliminary round based on CAF's club rankings.

For Nigeria's representatives, the task is clear.

Shooting Stars and El Kanemi Warriors must overcome some of Africa's most experienced clubs if they are to return Nigeria to the latter stages of continental competition. Both teams will hope to make a statement when the new campaign begins in September.