‘Homeless’ NPFL quartet seek continental glory

Nigeria’s quest for continental football glory will begin this weekend with an unusual challenge facing the country’s four representatives: they will be chasing African success playing home matches away from their traditional homes.

Enugu Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars, and El-Kanemi Warriors earned Nigeria’s places in the 2026/27 CAF inter-club competitions, but none will enjoy the full advantage of playing their continental matches in their regular league stadiums.

Instead, the clubs have been forced to adopt alternative venues after the Confederation of African Football’s accreditation requirements exposed a familiar weakness in Nigerian football, which is the shortage of stadiums capable of hosting international club competitions.

For the four clubs, the challenge is therefore bigger than overcoming opponents from the Republic of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tunisia. They must also adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, different travel arrangements, and reduced home support as they attempt to carry Nigeria’s flag across Africa.

Enugu Rangers, the Nigeria Premier Football League defending champions, lead Nigeria’s Champions League campaign. The “Flying Antelopes” will face Benin Republic champions AS Sobemap in the first preliminary round, with the first leg scheduled for Sunday, September 6.

But instead of the historic Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, popularly known as ‘The Cathedral’, Rangers will stage their home fixture at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Enugu stadium is undergoing renovation as part of efforts to bring it up to CAF standards, leaving Rangers without their traditional fortress for their return to Africa’s premier club competition.

The situation illustrates the peculiar circumstances surrounding Nigeria’s continental campaign. Rangers qualified to represent the country as champions, but they will begin their continental journey without the geographical and emotional advantage associated with their home ground.

Chairman Amobi Ezeaku, however, believes the club can overcome the disruption.

“We will come out and push until the end in our clash against AS Sobemap of Porto-Novo on Sunday,” Ezeaku said.

He pointed to Rangers’ opening-day NPFL draw against Katsina United, where the Enugu side scored a late equalizer, as evidence of the mentality he expects from the team.

“The evidence of our strong mentality was in our league opener against Katsina United, where we got the goal in the last minutes,” he added.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu also dismissed concerns over the league setback, insisting his players remain capable of responding strongly.

He said, “I won’t blame my players for the draw because they are the best and we will give them the confidence to try again.”

For Rangers, the objective is clear: secure a first-leg advantage before travelling to Porto-Novo for the return fixture. The winner will advance to the second preliminary round, where they will meet the winner of the ASN Nigelec versus MC Alger tie.

Rangers are not alone in the Champions League in having to abandon home comforts.

NPFL runners-up Rivers United will face FC San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire, but their Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt was ruled unfit for CAF competition.

The Port Harcourt club will consequently host its continental matches at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The “Nest of Champions” provides the required infrastructure, but the move means Rivers United will have to create a home advantage in a city outside their traditional base.

That could prove significant in a competition where home performances often determine whether clubs survive two-legged preliminary-round ties.

While Rangers and Rivers United seek Champions League progress, Shooting Stars will carry Nigeria’s hopes in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Ibadan-based club secured continental football after an impressive domestic campaign but will also be deprived of its traditional home.

The N5.5bn remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, synonymous with the history and identity of the “Oluyole Warriors,” was not included among the Nigerian venues approved by CAF for continental competition.

Consequently, Shooting Stars will play their home matches at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.

Their first assignment is particularly demanding as ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ have been drawn against Tunisian powerhouse CS Sfaxien, with the first leg scheduled for September 5 before the return fixture in Tunisia on September 13.

The club’s management has stressed that the problem is not unique to Shooting Stars.

“Only three stadiums were approved nationwide by CAF. Only those three stadiums are accredited to host matches for the competition, so we had to choose from the available options,” the management explained.

The statement lays bare the infrastructure problem confronting Nigerian football.

Four clubs have qualified for continental competition, yet the country has only a handful of venues meeting CAF’s standards. Instead of celebrating qualification by hosting African opponents in their traditional cities, clubs are having to relocate.

The situation also raises questions about the relationship between stadium infrastructure and Nigeria’s ambition to regain its influence in African club football.

El-Kanemi Warriors provides another example.

The Maiduguri club earned its continental ticket by winning the President Federation Cup, defeating Ikorodu City in the final. But its El-Kanemi Mini Stadium cannot host CAF matches, forcing the Warriors to move their continental home games to Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

For a club representing Maiduguri, the relocation represents more than a change of venue. It removes the familiarity of playing before supporters in its home environment and replaces it with a neutral setting hundreds of kilometers away.

Yet the four clubs cannot afford to allow their “homeless” status to become an excuse.

Nigeria’s continental record has declined considerably recently, with domestic clubs struggling to consistently reach the latter stages of CAF competitions. The 2026/27 campaign therefore represents an opportunity for Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars, and El-Kanemi to restore some pride to Nigerian club football.

Rangers must negotiate AS Sobemap before potentially confronting stronger opposition in the next round. Rivers United face an Ivorian challenge in FC San Pedro, while Shooting Stars have arguably drawn one of the more experienced names in CS Sfaxien.

El-Kanemi, meanwhile, will seek to translate their Federation Cup triumph into continental competitiveness as the immediate challenge is to turn borrowed stadiums into temporary fortresses.

For Rangers, that means Abeokuta must feel like Enugu. For Rivers United, Uyo must provide the atmosphere of Port Harcourt. Shooting Stars must persuade supporters to make the trip to Abeokuta, while El-Kanemi must build a continental identity in Ikenne.

The clubs may be “homeless” in the literal sense, but they cannot afford to be psychologically homeless.

Ezeaku has already appealed to Rangers supporters to rally behind the team despite the change of venue.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel for us. We hope more fans will come out. This is Rangers representing the country,” he said.

That message extends beyond Rangers.

The four clubs are not merely competing for individual trophies. Their performances will influence Nigeria’s standing, reputation, and future representation in African club competitions.

For now, the road to continental glory begins without the comfort of home.

Nigeria’s clubs will have to prove that while CAF may determine where they play, it cannot determine how they compete.

Their resilience and determination will be put to the test as they navigate the challenges ahead. Each match will serve as an opportunity to showcase their skills and commitment, ultimately aiming to elevate Nigeria’s status in the realm of African football.