El-Kanemi Warriors face Raja Casablanca as Shooting Stars bow out of CAF Confederation Cup

El-Kanemi Warriors have progressed to the second preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca, while Shooting Stars have been eliminated from the competition.

El-Kanemi secured their passage despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to UDIB of Guinea-Bissau in the second leg on Sunday. The Maiduguri-based club advanced 3-1 on aggregate, having produced a commanding 3-0 victory in the first leg in Ikenne.

The Borno Army were unable to add to their first-leg advantage in Guinea-Bissau, with UDIB scoring the only goal of the return fixture. However, the Nigerian representatives successfully protected their aggregate lead to book their place in the next round.

El-Kanemi’s reward for overcoming UDIB is a significantly tougher assignment against Moroccan powerhouse Raja Casablanca in the second preliminary round.

According to the confirmed fixture schedule, El-Kanemi Warriors will host the first leg between October 16 and 18, before travelling to Casablanca for the return leg between October 23 and 25.

The tie represents a major test for the Nigerian Federation Cup champions, who will need to build on their impressive first-leg display against UDIB if they are to move closer to the group stage

Shooting Stars’ continental adventure, meanwhile, came to an end after CS Sfaxien overturned their first-leg advantage with a 2-0 victory in Tunisia.

The Oluyole Warriors arrived in Sfax with a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg in Abeokuta, where Lucky Emmanuel scored the decisive goal. But the Tunisian side produced a strong response in the return leg to win 2-0 and progress 2-1 on aggregate.

Iyed Belwafi broke the deadlock in the 27th minute before Youssef Habchia doubled Sfaxien’s advantage in the 68th minute. The two goals were enough to overturn Shooting Stars’ first-leg lead and send the Tunisian club through.

The defeat ends Shooting Stars’ CAF Confederation Cup campaign at the first preliminary-round stage, despite their encouraging home victory in the opening leg.

The contrasting results leave Nigeria with two clubs still alive in CAF’s two major inter-club competitions.

El-Kanemi Warriors will carry Nigeria’s flag in the Confederation Cup against Raja Casablanca, while Rangers International remain in the Champions League after eliminating AS Sobemap on penalties.

Rangers will face Algerian side MC Alger in the second preliminary round, with the first leg scheduled for October 16–18 and the return in Algiers from October 23–25.

For El-Kanemi, however, the focus now shifts to Raja. The Moroccan giants represent a considerable step up in quality, but the Nigerian side have earned their opportunity after navigating the opening round with a 3-1 aggregate success.