Nigeria’s four representatives in the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup will be restricted to only two approved home Stadiums.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed its updated list of approved stadiums for the new Interclub campaign, revealing that Africa’s most populous nation trails behind several rivals in hosting capacity.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo and the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja are the only approved stadiums.
This means Rivers United, Remo Stars, Kwara United and Abia Warriors must share the two stadiums for their continental fixtures.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is one of the approved venues for Nigerian clubs in the 2025/2026 CAF Interclub competition. Photo Credit: X
By contrast, South Africa leads the list with 13 approved venues, followed by Morocco with 10, Algeria with nine and Ivory Coast with six.
CAF-approved stadium count by country
South Africa – 13
Morocco – 10
Algeria – 9
Ivory Coast – 6
Cameroon – 5
Egypt – 5
Mali – 5
DR Congo – 3
Equatorial Guinea – 3
Uganda – 3
Tunisia – 3
Ethiopia – 2
Libya – 2
Nigeria – 2
Rwanda – 2
Tanzania – 2
Zambia – 2
Senegal – 2
Ghana – 1
Kenya – 1
Zanzibar – 1
Several countries, including Central African Republic, Guinea, Lesotho, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Somalia, have no CAF-approved stadiums and will be forced to play home matches in neutral venues.
READ MORE: nigeria-v-sudan-chan-2024-preview-team-news-chelles-rallying-call
CAF’s approval process assesses pitch quality, lighting, dressing rooms, security measures, and broadcast facilities. Venues that fail to meet these standards are barred from hosting.
Remo Stars begin their Champions League journey against Comoros’ US Zilimadjou, with the winners set to meet 2016 winners and South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Rivers United will face a DR Congo Linafoot side yet to be decided, before a possible tie with Congo’s AC Leopards or Mozambique’s Black Bulls.
In the Confederation Cup, Kwara United will meet Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko in the first round, aiming for a second-round clash with Moroccan powerhouse Wydad Casablanca.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Abia Warriors open against Mali’s Djoiiba, with Burkina Faso’s USFA or Togo’s AS Gbohloe-su awaiting in the next round.
