Nigeria’s path to the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup group stage has once again brought the country’s clubs face-to-face with the enduring power of North African football.

Shooting Stars have been handed a daunting second preliminary-round tie against three-time Confederation Cup winners CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, while El-Kanemi Warriors could face another North African heavyweight, Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca, if they overcome Benin Republic’s UDIB.

For the Nigerian representatives, the draw is a reminder of the enormous continental hurdle posed by clubs from Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

A familiar continental problem for Nigeria

North Africa’s dominance of the Confederation Cup is difficult to ignore.

Since the competition was established in 2004, North African clubs have won 18 of the 23 completed editions, including the last four.

The region has produced multiple champions through CS Sfaxien, Raja Casablanca, Zamalek, RS Berkane, USM Alger, Al Ahly, Etoile du Sahel and other heavyweight clubs. CAF notes that the 2025/26 final between USM Alger and Zamalek was the ninth all-North African final, while five of the last eight finals had featured two clubs from the region.

Nigeria, by comparison, has never won the Confederation Cup.

The country’s best performance came in 2005, when Dolphins reached the final. CAF also records Nigeria as the country with the most different representatives in the competition , 24 since 2004 highlighting the gap between participation and conversion into continental success.

Shooting Stars face a proven continental force

Shooting Stars’ challenge is particularly significant.

CS Sfaxien are not merely another Tunisian opponent. They are the competition’s record three-time winners, having lifted the trophy in 2007, 2008 and 2013.

The Ibadan club must therefore negotiate a tie against one of the most experienced sides in Confederation Cup history before they can even think about the next qualifying hurdle.

And should Shooting Stars prevail, another West African tie against either Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo or Sierra Leone’s East End Lions awaits.

El-Kanemi’s potential Raja obstacle

El-Kanemi Warriors have a seemingly more manageable first assignment against UDIB of Benin Republic.

But qualification would immediately bring a much bigger test.

Raja Casablanca, twice Confederation Cup champions, are waiting on the other side of the bracket.

The Moroccan giants have already demonstrated their ability to eliminate Nigerian opposition in this competition, beating Enyimba in the 2018 semi-finals before going on to win the title.

The recent record also underlines the scale of the problem.

Enyimba were drawn against Egyptian giants Zamalek and Al Masry in the 2024/25 Confederation Cup group stage and failed to record a win against either Egyptian opponent, eventually exiting in third place.

North Africa’s continental advantage

The problem extends beyond individual match-ups.

North African clubs have built a sustained ecosystem around continental football, combining stronger financial resources, deeper squads, greater continental experience and regular exposure to high-pressure CAF knockout football.

CAF’s wider Champions League history tells the same story, with the governing body describing Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia as the countries whose clubs have particularly dominated the competition in the modern era.

For Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi, however, the immediate task is straightforward.

Shooting Stars must find a way past CS Sfaxien.

El-Kanemi must first eliminate UDIB, knowing that doing so could earn them a blockbuster showdown with Raja Casablanca.

For Nigerian clubs seeking a return to the group-stage elite, North Africa once again stands firmly in the way.