Nigeria’s quartet of Remo Stars, Rivers United, Abia Warriors, and Kwara United will each be guaranteed a financial cushion of USD 100,000 as they embark on their quest in this season’s CAF Interclub competitions.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rolled out the incentive to cover logistical expenses for teams eliminated in the first two rounds of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League, a move designed to encourage wider participation across the continent.

The policy is already yielding results, with a record 62 clubs registering for the tournament, which kicks off with the preliminary stage next month. The first-leg matches are scheduled for September 19–21, with the return legs taking place from September 26–28.

Holders Al Ahly of Egypt and South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns have been handed automatic byes to the second round, while the remaining 60 teams have been seeded into pots according to CAF’s club ranking system. Geographical factors have also been considered to ease travel demands on participating clubs.

The expanded support initiative is part of CAF’s broader strategy to strengthen club football and make participation in its elite competitions more sustainable for teams from all regions of Africa.

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Despite consistent appearances in recent CAF Interclub competitions, Nigeria’s Remo Stars and Kwara United are glaring absentees from the latest CAF Clubs’ Ranking released on Friday.

Remo Stars have represented Nigeria in each of the past three seasons, featuring in the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup, the 2023/24 CAF Champions League, and again in the 2024/25 Champions League. Similarly, Kwara United competed in the 2022/23 Confederation Cup, having also featured in the CAF Cup in 1999 and the Confederation Cup in 2007.

Only two Nigerian clubs made the 2025 list — Rivers United, ranked 23rd, and two-time African champions Enyimba, placed 35th despite not competing in continental club football this season. Debutants Abia Warriors remain unranked.

To download a graphic of the CAF Clubs’ Ranking for 2025, CLICK HERE. 

At the top of the rankings, Al Ahly of Egypt maintain their stronghold on African club football, retaining the number one spot with 78 points. The 11-time Champions League winners have claimed four titles in the last six seasons, underlining their dominance ahead of Saturday’s draws for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns sit second with 62 points, followed by Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis (57) in third place. Morocco’s RS Berkane, last season’s Confederation Cup winners, are fourth with 52 points, while Simba SC of Tanzania (48) complete the top five as East Africa’s highest-ranked club.

Egypt’s Pyramids FC (6th, 47 points) and Zamalek SC (7th, 42) add to the North African dominance, alongside Morocco’s Wydad AC (8th, 39) and Raja CA (joint 15th, 30). Algeria’s USM Alger (9th, 37) and CR Belouizdad (10th, 36) round off the top ten.

Some emerging sides have also made notable strides — South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC are joint 21st with 15 points despite limited continental history, while Ghana’s Dreams FC are 26th after a recent impressive run.

The updated rankings will determine seedings for Saturday’s preliminary draws, shaping the path for clubs chasing continental glory in the upcoming season.

CAF CLUBS’ RANKING 2025

1. Al Ahly FC (Egypt) – 78 points

2. Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – 62

3. Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia) – 57

4. RS Berkane (Morocco) – 52

5. Simba SC (Tanzania) – 48

6. Pyramids FC (Egypt) – 47

7. Zamalek SC (Egypt) – 42

8. Wydad AC (Morocco) – 39

9. USM Alger (Algeria) – 37

10. CR Belouizdad (Algeria) – 36

11. Al Hilal SC (Sudan) – 34

11 Young Africans (Tanzania) – 34

13. ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire) – 33

14. TP Mazembe (DR Congo) – 30.5

15. Orlando Pirates (South Africa) – 30

15 Raja CA (Morocco) – 30

17. Atletico Petroleos (Angola) – 27

18. AS FAR (Morocco) – 21

28 MC Alger (Algeria) – 21

20. GD Sagrada Esperança (Angola) – 20

21. CS Constantine (Algeria) – 15

21 Stellenbosch FC (South Africa) – 15

23. Al Masry SC (Egypt) – 14

23 Rivers United FC (Nigeria) – 14

25. JS Kabylie (Algeria) – 13

26. Dreams FC (Ghana) – 12

27. Stade Malien (Mali) – 10.5

28. Horoya AC (Guinea) – 10

29. Future FC (Egypt) – 9.5

30. Etoile SS (Tunisia) – 9

30 Marumo Gallants FC (South Africa) – 9

32. E.S. Setif (Algeria) – 8

32 FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania) – 8

32 Abu Salim SC (Libya) – 8

35. Enyimba FC (Nigeria) – 7

35 ASC Jaraaf (Senegal) – 7

35 Coton Sport FC de Garoua (Cameroon) – 7

38. CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) – 6.5

39. Jwaneng Galaxy FC (Botswana) – 6

39 US Monastirienne (Tunisia) – 6

39 Al Merrikh SC (Sudan) – 6

39 Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) – 6

43. CD Lunda-Sul (Angola) – 5

43 FC Bravos do Maquis (Angola) – 5

43 Stade d’Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) – 5

43 Djoliba AC de Bamako (Mali) – 5

43 AS Maniema Union (DR Congo) – 5

43 CSMD Diables Noirs (Republic of Congo) – 5

43 AS Vita Club (DR Congo) – 5

50. Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) – 4

50 Medeama SC (Ghana) – 4

50 Al Hilal Benghazi (Libya)

50 Sekhukhune United (South Africa) – 4

50 Club Africain (Tunisia) – 4

50 Al Ittihad (Libya) – 4

50 AmaZulu (South Africa) – 4

57. FC St Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo) – 3

57 AS Real de Bamako (Mali) – 3

57 ASKO de Kara (Togo) – 3

57 Vipers SC (Uganda) – 3

61. Orapa United (Botswana) – 2.5

61 Associação Black Bulls (Mozambique) – 2.5

63. A.P.C. de Lobito (Angola) – 2

63 S.O.A.R. (Guinea) – 2

63 SuperSport United (South Africa) – 2

63. JS Saoura (Algeria) – 2

63 AS Otohô (Republic of Congo) – 2

63 DC Motema Pembe (DR Congo) – 2

69. Al Akhder (Libya) – 1.5

70. Royal Leopards FC (Eswatini) – 1

70 US Gendarmerie Nationale (Niger) – 1

70 Zanaco FC (Zambia) – 1

70. Teungueth FC (Senegal) – 1

70 Nkana FC (Zambia) – 1

75. Salitas FC (Burkina Faso) – 0.5

75 Ahli Benghazi (Libya) – 0.5

75 Namungo FC (Tanzania) – 0.5

75 Napsa Stars FC (Zambia) – 0.5

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A record-breaking 120 Football Clubs across the African Continent will participate in the  CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 season.

A total of 62 teams will contest the  CAF Champions League, while 58 will take part in the  CAF Confederation Cup – the largest combined entry ever seen in CAF’s Interclub competitions.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has announced a significant improvement in the financial support from USD 50 000 to USD 100 000 to clubs participating in the Preliminary Rounds.

The draw will take place on Saturday at 13h00 local time (10h00 GMT) at Azam Media Studios in Dar Es Salaam and will be broadcast live on CAF’s YouTube channel and partner networks across Africa and the globe.

The 2025/26 campaign will feature a glittering cast of former champions, modern powerhouses and ambitious newcomers, promising a season of drama, passion and unforgettable moments.

Al Ahly of Egypt, the most decorated club in the competition’s history, return alongside their compatriots Pyramids FC, the defending champions.

Côte d’Ivoire’s illustrious duo ASEC Mimosas and Stade Abidjan are also back in the hunt, as are Algeria’s storied JS Kabylie, Moroccan heavyweights AS FAR and RS Berkane – the latter holders of the CAF Confederation Cup.

South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates add even more prestige to a line-up dripping with history.

In the Confederation Cup, Egyptian titans Zamalek stand out among a diverse field of contenders ready to write their names into the continental record books.

The journey to glory will begin with the Preliminary Round, played over two legs on the weekends of 19–21 September and 26–28 September 2025. Victors will advance to the Second Preliminary Round on 17–19 October, with the return legs a week later from 24–26 October.

The successful sides will earn their place in the Group Stage, which kicks off on 21 November 2025.

From there, the best of the best will battle through to the knockout stage, starting on 13 March 2026, with the dream of lifting African football’s most coveted club trophies.

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