CAF Competitions: Rangers, Shooting Stars to Host Continental Opponents in Abeokuta

CAF Competitions: Rangers, Shooting Stars to Host Continental Opponents in Abeokuta

By Admin 

Enugu Rangers and Shooting Stars have selected the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as their home venue for their respective CAF inter-club competition fixtures, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The decision means both Nigerian clubs will stage their continental home matches in Abeokuta rather than at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, which they had initially considered for the upcoming campaigns.

Rangers, the reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, had earlier reached an agreement with Remo Stars to use the club's stadium in Ikenne as their home ground for the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League. However, following further consultations with the technical crew led by head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, the Enugu club opted for the MKO Abiola Sports Arena.

The Flying Antelopes secured their ninth NPFL title in May after defeating Ikorodu City 2-1 in Lagos on the final day of the 2025/26 season. The victory also earned Rangers a place in the 2026/27 CAF Champions League. CAF confirmed the club's qualification after Rangers finished top of the domestic standings.

Rangers will face Benin Republic's AS Sobemap in the first preliminary round of the Champions League. The continental campaign is scheduled to begin with the preliminary rounds in September, with the clubs needing to negotiate the qualifying stages before reaching the group phase.

Shooting Stars had similarly identified the Remo Stars Stadium as their preferred venue but will now join Rangers in Abeokuta for their continental fixtures.

The Oluyole Warriors qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup after finishing third in the 2025/26 NPFL. The club has been drawn against Tunisia's CS Sfaxien in the first preliminary round.

The matchup will have added historical significance for Shooting Stars. The Ibadan club won the CAF Cup, the predecessor to the modern Confederation Cup, in 1992, while CS Sfaxien is one of the competition's most successful sides, having won the title multiple times.

The selection of the MKO Abiola Sports Arena also gives both Nigerian clubs access to a venue that has hosted NPFL fixtures. The stadium is listed by the NPFL as the MKO Abiola Sports Arena and has hosted matches involving Remo Stars and Shooting Stars in recent seasons.

For Rangers and Shooting Stars, the move to Abeokuta represents an important logistical decision as they prepare for their return to continental football. Both clubs will be hoping to make home advantage count as they begin what promises to be demanding two-legged preliminary-round ties.

The 2026/27 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup preliminary rounds are expected to get underway in September, with successful teams progressing towards the group stages later in the competition.