Nigerian Champions, Remo Stars, and Federation Cup champions, Kwara United, have been given the all clear to play their first preliminary round tie games at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Sky Blues Stars, whose permanent home ground in Ikenne is still undergoing renovation, will be playing at the adopted home ground in the Ogun State capital. Daniel Ogunmodede’s side have been playing their NPFL home games in the 2025/26 season there, and it is now certain they will face the Comoros Islands side, U.S Zilimadjou, in the CAF Champions League at that same venue.
Due to the extensive work by the NPFL champions to put the facility in top shape, U.S Zilimadjou have also decided to host the reverse fixture of the contest at the newly renovated stadium in the Gateway State. Remo Stars will be looking to go past the first stage for the first time in their history, where they already have South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns waiting in the next round.
The first leg of the contest between Remo Stars and U.S Zilimadjou will take place on Sunday, 21st September, before the return leg on Friday, 26th September. Both matches have been scheduled to kick off by 4pm.
Meanwhile, Kwara United, who have been drawn against Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup, have initiated plans to also play in Abeokuta. Although the Harmony Boys, supported by the Kwara State Government, tried to upgrade their home ground in Ilorin to meet the CAF standards, it was gathered that they failed at the last hurdle.
Tunde Sanni’s men are travelling to Ghana for the first leg against the Porcupine Warriors this Sunday before hosting the return leg of the clash on Sunday, 28th September. That return leg at the MKO Sports Arena has also been scheduled to kick off by 4pm.
