The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has retained its four continental slots for the 2026/27 CAF Interclub season following the conclusion of this year’s qualifying rounds.
Moroccan giants RS Berkane’s qualification for the CAF Champions League group stage, coupled with Rivers United’s progression to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, ensured Nigeria maintained its place among the top 12 nations on the CAF rankings.
Nigeria’s position was further secured by the elimination of Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli, meaning no Libyan club will feature in the group stage of either CAF competition this season.
As a result, Mali leapfrogged both Nigeria and Libya to move up to 11th place, while Nigeria held on to 12th and Libya dropped from 11th to 13th.
The absence of Libyan clubs in the group stage means they cannot accumulate additional coefficient points, while Rivers United’s continued participation will contribute positively to Nigeria’s tally.
The NPFL must, however, sustain consistent representation in CAF competitions to maintain its top-12 status, which guarantees four continental slots.
Notably, the last time Nigeria had three clubs reach the group stages was in 2009—Heartland and Kano Pillars in the CAF Champions League, and Bayelsa United in the Confederation Cup.
With the ranking now secure, the NPFL will once again enjoy four continental spots next season despite only Rivers United reaching the group stage this term. Remo Stars, Kwara United, and Abia Warriors all failed to progress beyond the preliminary rounds.
This development comes as a huge relief to Nigerian football fans who feared the league might lose one of its four CAF Interclub slots.
Nigeria’s CAF Slots (2026/27 Season):
Two clubs in the CAF Champions League
Two clubs in the CAF Confederation Cup
With this confirmation, Nigeria remains among the elite nations in African club football heading into the next campaign.
