Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) have been drawn against Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in the first preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup.

Nurudeen Aweroro’s side will host the first leg at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne before travelling to Sfax for the return fixture.

The winner of the tie will face either Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo or Sierra Leone’s East End Lions in the second preliminary round.

Nigeria’s other representative, El-Kanemi Warriors, will begin their campaign against Guinea-Bissau’s União Desportiva Internacional (UDIB).

If the Maiduguri-based club progresses, it will face Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca in the second preliminary round. Raja Casablanca are among the clubs exempted from the opening round of the competition.

The first-leg matches of the preliminary round are scheduled to take place between September 4 and 6, while the return fixtures will be played between September 11 and 13.

Both Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors will be aiming to progress through the preliminary rounds and secure places in the group stage of Africa’s second-tier club competition.

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has expressed confidence that Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães would improve Arsenal if his reported move to the club is completed.

Reports have claimed that Arsenal are close to finalising a deal worth £75 million for the Newcastle United midfielder, with an official announcement expected after negotiations between the two clubs.

Reacting to the reported transfer, Shearer described Guimarães as a top-quality player capable of adding creativity and composure to Mikel Arteta’s side.

“Arsenal have signed a top player in Guimarães, there is no doubt about that. They have signed a player who is comfortable on the ball under pressure and can deliver a killer pass,” Shearer told Betfair.

The former England striker also praised the midfielder’s character and professionalism during his time at Newcastle.

“His attitude is also excellent, as we have seen at Newcastle United. So, there is no doubt he will improve the team,” he said.

Shearer added that a midfield comprising Guimarães, Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard would be among the strongest in the Premier League.

“I think with Rice, Ødegaard and Guimarães, it is hard to find a better midfield combination,” he added.

Arsenal have yet to officially confirm the signing of Guimarães.

Nigerian champions Rangers International have been drawn against Benin Republic’s AS Sobemap in the first preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League.

The Flying Antelopes will host the first leg before travelling for the return fixture.

If Rangers advance, they will face either Niger Republic’s ASN Nigelec or Algerian champions MC Alger in the second preliminary round for a place in the next stage of the competition.

Rivers United were also handed a difficult opening fixture after being drawn against Côte d’Ivoire’s San Pedro in the first preliminary round.

Finidi George’s side will take on either Uganda’s Vipers SC or Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou in the second preliminary round if they eliminate the Ivorian club.

The first-leg matches of the opening preliminary round are scheduled to be played between September 4 and 6, while the return fixtures will take place between September 11 and 13, 2026.

The second preliminary round will be played from October 16 to 18 for the first-leg matches, with the return legs scheduled for October 23 to 25, 2026.

Both Rangers and Rivers United will be aiming to progress through the preliminary rounds and secure places in the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.