NPFL champions Rangers International have reached an agreement with Remo Stars to use the club’s stadium in Ikenne as their home ground for the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Rangers secured the league title on the final day of the 2025/26 season after defeating Ikorodu City 2-1, earning a return to Africa’s premier club competition.
However, the Enugu club will be unable to use its traditional home ground, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, popularly known as The Cathedral, as the facility is currently undergoing renovations.
According to MikeThePundit, Rangers have therefore opted to adopt the Remo Stars’ stadium as their temporary continental home until work on their Enugu base is completed.
The stadium, which has a capacity of 5,000, has already hosted international fixtures and meets the Confederation of African Football’s requirements for continental matches.
Rangers will host their CAF Champions League home fixtures at the Ikenne-based facility, with the preliminary rounds scheduled to begin on September 4.
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The Flying Antelopes will be hoping for a better continental campaign after they were eliminated by Angolan club Sagrada Esperança in the second preliminary round last season, losing 3-2 on aggregate.
Rangers and runners-up Rivers United will represent Nigeria in this season’s CAF Champions League, although both clubs must navigate the preliminary rounds before reaching the 16-team group stage.
The competition could, however, soon provide more opportunities for NPFL clubs if calls for an expanded format are successful.
Under the current system, only the NPFL champions and runners-up qualify for the CAF Champions League, while an expansion would potentially create additional continental slots and provide more Nigerian clubs with access to increased prize money, broadcast revenue and high-level competition.
Such a development could also intensify the battle for top positions in the NPFL, while encouraging clubs to invest more in infrastructure, coaching and player development.
For now, Rangers will hope their temporary home in Ikenne can provide the platform for a deeper continental run as they seek to turn their domestic triumph into a successful CAF Champions League campaign.
