Remo Stars, Kwara United Adopt Abeokuta Stadium for CAF Campaigns

Two Nigerian clubs, Remo Stars and Kwara United, have settled for the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, as their temporary home ground for the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, respectively.

Both teams will kick off their continental campaigns this weekend.

Remo Stars’ original home turf in Ikenne is still under renovation, making it unavailable for use, while CAF declined approval for the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin, leaving Kwara United with no choice but to relocate.

The Sky Blue Stars will host US Zilimadjou of Comoros in their Champions League preliminary round tie on Sunday in Abeokuta, with the reverse fixture also slated for the same venue.

Kwara United, meanwhile, face a daunting first-leg clash away to Ghana’s Asante Kotoko on Sunday, before returning to Abeokuta for the decisive second leg on September 28.

Opinion

While stadium relocations can be unsettling, both Remo Stars and Kwara United have a golden opportunity to show that location doesn’t define performance—mentality does. Playing away from familiar grounds can sometimes unite a team even more, forcing them to focus on what really matters: the football itself.

For Remo Stars, a strong showing against US Zilimadjou could set the tone for a historic run in the Champions League. Kwara United, on the other hand, face a tougher challenge in Kotoko, a club with rich continental pedigree. But football is full of upsets—and Nigerian sides have often thrived when counted out.

The bigger picture is clear: Nigeria needs its representatives to go far in Africa’s elite competitions, not just for bragging rights, but to restore confidence in our domestic league. If Abeokuta becomes the launchpad for two fairytale runs, the inconvenience of relocation may just turn into destiny.

✨ For now, the MKO Abiola Sports Arena is more than a stadium—it’s the new heartbeat of Nigerian continental football.