CAFCL: Rivers United’s Opponent Still Unknown Eight Days To Kickoff

CAFCL: Rivers United’s Opponent Still Unknown Eight Days To Kickoff 

 Sampson Adedeji

With just eight days to the kickoff of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League preliminary round, Rivers United of Nigeria are yet to know the identity of their opponent from the Democratic Republic of Congo, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Port Harcourt-based club were drawn to face a team from DR Congo in the opening phase of Africa’s premier club competition, but uncertainty has persisted over which club will represent the Central African nation.

According to reports, the Congolese Football Federation is yet to officially submit the name of its Champions League representative to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The delay is believed to be linked to an ongoing administrative crisis within the country’s football structure, coupled with lingering security issues that disrupted the conclusion of their domestic league.

CAF had earlier directed all federations to confirm their participants in both the Champions League and Confederation Cup by the end of August, but DR Congo has not met that deadline.

Rivers United, Nigeria’s sole entry in this year’s CAFCL, have continued preparations in Port Harcourt while awaiting clarity. 

CAF sources indicate that discussions are ongoing with FECOFA (the Congolese FA) to finalise the representative before the weekend, to avoid any disruption to the competition’s schedule.

The preliminary round of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League is scheduled to kick off on September 19, with first-leg fixtures spread across the continent.