The stage is set for a high-octane West African showdown after Friday’s draw for the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup paired Ghana’s Asante Kotoko SC with Nigeria’s Kwara United FC in the first preliminary round.
The two-legged tie will open in Kumasi between September 19–21, with the return leg in Nigeria from September 26–28.
The aggregate winner will progress to meet Moroccan heavyweights Wydad AC in October ; a pathway that could eventually lead to the lucrative group stage and a minimum $100,000 in participation fees.
We have been paired with Nigerian side Kwara United in the first preliminary stage of the @CAF_Online Confederation Cup.#AKSC #Fabucensus #Kotoko4All pic.twitter.com/vGw1D9KRTb
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) August 9, 2025
This fixture instantly stirs excitement, reviving the Ghana-Nigeria “Jollof Derby” rivalry, although the clubs have never previously met in CAF competition.
Kotoko, twice African champions (1970, 1983), bring experience and a storied legacy, while Kwara United arrive as determined underdogs on the back of domestic cup glory.
Kotoko’s Edge
The Porcupine Warriors sealed their place in the competition by winning the 2024/25 Ghana FA Cup and have enjoyed a promising pre-season, capped by a penalty shootout win over South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs in the Toyota Cup. Striker Kwame Opoku’s form and the defensive resilience of goalkeeper Mohamed Camara could prove pivotal.
Coach Karim Zito has blended seasoned performers with fresh faces, deploying an aggressive pressing style that aims to dominate both territory and tempo. Home advantage at the Baba Yara Stadium could be decisive in the opening leg.
Kwara’s Ambition
The Harmony Warriors qualified after edging Abakaliki FC 4-3 on penalties to lift the Nigerian Federation Cup. The Ilorin-based side has retooled with 17 new signings, including forward Ifeanyi Ogba and goalkeeper Ayeleso Suraj, and is sharpening its game in the ValueJet Preseason Tournament.
While less experienced on the continental stage, Kwara’s tactical discipline and counter-attacking speed offer danger to any opponent. Coach and players alike will view the trip to Ghana as a chance to shock the favorites.
Though Kotoko and Kwara have never met, the Ghana–Nigeria football rivalry ; famously nicknamed the “Jollof Derby” needs no introduction.
It’s about bragging rights, pride, and proving whose football is supreme. Kotoko fans still talk about past continental conquests, and many see this as the first step toward restoring the club’s glory days.
With national pride and a shot at Wydad AC on the line, this September double-header promises drama, intensity, and the full flavor of West African football rivalry
