El-Kanemi Warriors have successfully advanced to the second preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown against Moroccan football titans, Raja Casablanca. Meanwhile, the Nigerian side Shooting Stars saw their campaign come to an abrupt halt, following their elimination from the competition.
Despite facing a 1-0 defeat at the hands of UDIB from Guinea-Bissau in the second leg of their matchup, El-Kanemi managed to secure their progression with a 3-1 aggregate victory, thanks to a commanding 3-0 win in the first leg held in Ikenne. The Maiduguri-based team showcased resilience, managing to protect their aggregate lead even though they were unable to extend their advantage during the return fixture in Guinea-Bissau.
El-Kanemi's reward for overcoming UDIB is a challenging encounter against the formidable Raja Casablanca in the next round. The official fixture schedule indicates that the first leg will take place in Nigeria between October 16 and 18, followed by the return leg in Casablanca from October 23 to 25. This matchup represents a significant challenge for the Nigerian Federation Cup champions as they strive to build on their impressive performance against UDIB and edge closer to the group stage.
In stark contrast, Shooting Stars' continental journey came to an end after CS Sfaxien managed to overturn their first-leg advantage with a decisive 2-0 victory in Tunisia. The Oluyole Warriors entered the second leg with a narrow 1-0 lead, courtesy of Lucky Emmanuel's goal in the first leg held in Abeokuta. However, the Tunisian side responded strongly, with Iyed Belwafi breaking the deadlock in the 27th minute, followed by Youssef Habchia doubling Sfaxien’s lead in the 68th minute. This turnaround saw CS Sfaxien progress 2-1 on aggregate, effectively concluding Shooting Stars’ campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup.
As these contrasting outcomes unfold, Nigeria retains representation in CAF’s two premier inter-club competitions, with El-Kanemi Warriors flying the flag in the Confederation Cup and Rangers International advancing in the Champions League after eliminating AS Sobemap on penalties. Rangers now prepare to face Algerian side MC Alger in the second preliminary round, with the first leg scheduled for October 16–18 and the return leg in Algiers from October 23–25. For El-Kanemi, the immediate focus shifts to their encounter with Raja, a Moroccan powerhouse that presents a formidable challenge. Nevertheless, the Nigerian side has proven their mettle by navigating the opening round successfully with a 3-1 aggregate triumph.
As reported by nigerianobservernews.com.
