The African Super League has officially excluded all Nigerian clubs from its inaugural 2026 edition, a major setback for Nigerian football as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revives the controversial elite club tournament.
CAF Pushes Ahead with Patrice Motsepe’s Vision
Under the leadership of CAF President Patrice Motsepe, the governing body is moving forward with the revamped African Super League. The competition will feature Africa’s top-performing clubs, with automatic qualification based on the official CAF five-year club ranking system.
Seven clubs have already secured their spots through consistent excellence in continental competitions over the past five seasons.
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Confirmed Participating Clubs
The following clubs have qualified directly:
- USM Alger and CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
- Al Ahly SC and Pyramids FC (Egypt)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)
- RS Berkane (Morocco)
This selection underscores the current dominance of clubs from North Africa and South Africa in continental football.
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Nigeria Misses Out Due to Low CAF Ranking
Nigeria’s disappointing 12th position in the latest CAF five-year club rankings means no Nigerian club meets the qualification criteria. Only clubs from the top-ranked associations were considered for direct entry.
Poor and inconsistent performances by Nigerian sides in recent editions of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup are cited as the main reasons for the exclusion. The decision has triggered widespread disappointment and debate among Nigerian football fans and stakeholders.
Scheduling and Format Still Under Discussion
CAF is yet to finalise the exact format, number of teams, and scheduling window for the tournament. Concerns remain about how the new competition will fit into the already crowded African football calendar without clashing with domestic leagues and existing CAF tournaments.
A Wake-Up Call for Nigerian Football
The exclusion is being viewed as a stark reality check for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), and club administrators. It highlights the urgent need for structural reforms, improved player development, better funding, and consistent continental performances if Nigerian clubs hope to regain their place among Africa’s elite in future editions.
