Nigeria’s sole representative in the 2025/2026 CAF inter-club competitions, Rivers United, have been handed a difficult group in the CAF Champions League after being drawn against defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt.

The draw, conducted on Monday at SuperSport Studios in Johannesburg, South Africa, placed Rivers United in Group A alongside CAF Confederation Cup champions RS Berkane of Morocco and Power Dynamos of Zambia, who are making their debut in the competition.

Coached by Finidi George, Rivers United are making their first-ever appearance in the group stage of the CAF Champions League after overcoming Mozambique’s Black Bulls in the final qualifying round. The Pride of Rivers, who reached the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2022/23 season, will be aiming for another strong continental run, despite finding themselves in one of the tournament’s toughest groups.

By qualifying for the group stage, Rivers United have helped Nigeria maintain its CAF club ranking within the top 12, ensuring the country retains its current continental slots. The Port Harcourt-based club will now look to build on that achievement with a commendable showing in the group stage.

Only the first two group games will be played before the competition takes a break for the Africa Cup of Nations in December, after which it will resume in 2026. Meanwhile, Rivers United are expected to miss at least three Nigeria Premier Football League fixtures during this period.

Full Group Stage Draws

Group A: RS Berkane (Morocco), Pyramids FC (Egypt), Rivers United (Nigeria), Power Dynamos (Zambia)

Group B: Al Ahly (Egypt), Young Africans (Tanzania), AS FAR Rabat (Morocco), JS Kabylie (Algeria)

Group C: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan), MC Alger (Algeria), St. Éloi Lupopo (DR Congo)

Group D: Espérance Tunis (Tunisia), Simba SC (Tanzania), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Stade Malien (Mali)