Nigerian champions Rangers have been drawn against AS Sobemap of the Benin Republic in the first preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League.
The Flying Antelopes will host the first leg before travelling to Benin Republic for the return fixture.
If Rangers advance to the second preliminary round, they will face either ASN Nigelec of Niger Republic or Algerian champions MC Alger for a place in the next stage of the competition.
Meanwhile, Rivers United have been handed a challenging opening fixture against Ivorian side San Pedro in the first preliminary round.
A victory over San Pedro would see Finidi George’s side take on either Uganda’s Vipers SC or Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou in the second preliminary round, with a place in the group stage at stake.
According to the CAF schedule, the first-leg matches of the opening preliminary round will be played between September 4 and 6, while the return fixtures are scheduled for September 11 to 13, 2026.
The second preliminary round will take place from October 16 to 18 for the first-leg matches, with the return legs fixed for October 23 to 25, 2026.
