Abeokuta and Ikenne Ogun State is set for a continental football weekend as Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF inter-club competitions begin their 2026/27 campaigns, with Rangers International and Shooting Stars both adopting the MKO Abiola Stadium as their temporary home, while Elkanemi Warriors will also start at the Remo Stars Stadium Ikenne.
The Ogun State capital will host two first-leg encounters, with Shooting Stars opening their CAF Confederation Cup campaign against Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien on Saturday, September 5, before NPFL champions Rangers International face Benin Republic’s AS Sobemap FC in the CAF Champions League on Sunday, September 6.
Shooting Stars Face Tough CS Sfaxien Test
Shooting Stars will be first in action when they welcome experienced Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday.
The encounter is scheduled for 4:00pm Nigerian time, with the Oluyole Warriors hoping to secure a positive first-leg result before travelling to Tunisia for the return fixture.
Shooting Stars made a winning start to the 2026/27 NPFL season, defeating Inter Lagos 2-1 in Ibadan, with Lucky Emmanuel and Sodiq Ibrahim finding the net.
Coach Salisu will now demand another disciplined performance from his players against a CS Sfaxien side with considerable continental experience.
The Ibadan club will need to balance their attacking ambition with defensive organisation as they seek to build an advantage at home.
Rangers Begin Champions League Journey
NPFL champions Rangers International will take centre stage on Sunday when they host AS Sobemap FC of Benin Republic in the first leg of their CAF Champions League first-round qualifier.
Kick-off is also scheduled for 4:00pm at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
Rangers began their NPFL title defence with a draw at the same venue and will be eager to produce a stronger performance when continental football takes priority.
The Flying Antelopes will be wary of a Sobemap side that possesses several players capable of influencing the contest.
Goalkeeper Fadil Soumanou, right-back Muyiwa Adeola Fehintola and defensive midfielder Richard Boro are among the players expected to play important roles for the visitors, while Nigerian forward Okiemute Samson will provide another familiar threat.
Rangers will be targeting a convincing home performance that gives them an advantage before the return leg in Benin Republic.
El-Kanemi Warriors Take Continental Action in Ikenne
Away from Abeokuta, another Nigerian club will begin its CAF campaign in Ogun State when El-Kanemi Warriors host UDIB of Guinea-Bissau in the CAF Confederation Cup first round.
The Federation Cup holders will play the first leg at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, on Sunday, September 6, at 4:00pm.
El-Kanemi will be determined to take control of the tie on home soil before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for the return fixture a week later.
The Maiduguri-based club earned their continental opportunity through their Federation Cup success and will now look to translate that achievement onto the African stage.
With three Nigerian clubs beginning their continental journeys across Ogun State, attention will be firmly fixed on the state this weekend as Rangers, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors seek strong starts to their respective CAF campaigns.
CAF Fixtures In Ogun State
Shooting Stars vs CS Sfaxien
Competition: CAF Confederation Cup
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Time: 4:00pm
Venue: MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta
Rangers International vs AS Sobemap FC
Competition: CAF Champions League
Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Time: 4:00pm
Venue: MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta
El-Kanemi Warriors vs UDIB
Competition: CAF Confederation Cup
Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Time: 4:00pm
Venue: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne
