Nigerian club ranks higher than two-time Champions League winner

A Nigerian football club, Rivers United has earned continental recognition after being ranked above a two-time CAF Champions League winner, Enyimba in the latest Confederation of African Football (CAF) club rankings for 2025.

CAF released the official ranking of the top 78 clubs in Africa ahead of the preliminary draws for the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, with some eye-catching placements that have sparked conversations across the continent.

As expected, Egyptian giants Al Ahly, the most successful club in African history, top the rankings, followed closely by Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Espérance Sportive de Tunis of Tunisia.

2025 CAF Confederation Cup champions RS Berkane (Morocco) claim the fourth spot, while Simba SC (Tanzania) and Pyramids FC (Egypt), who won the 2025 CAF Champions League, follow in fifth and sixth place, respectively.

Though the full ranking list features 78 clubs, two of Nigeria’s representatives have attracted attention for ranking higher than Wydad Casablanca, the two-time CAF Champions League winner from Morocco.

In the list, Rivers United ranked 28th and nine times Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Enyimba ranked 35th in Africa.

The People's Elephant is considered Nigeria's most successful football club, with two African Champions League titles, nine Nigerian championships, and four Federation Cups won since 2001.

In 2002, the club became the first Nigerian team to win the CAF Champions League, defeating Ismaily of Egypt 2–1 on aggregate. This victory marked the first time a Nigerian club had reached the competition's final since 1996.

Enyimba secured their second straight African Champions League title in 2004, defeating Étoile du Sahel of Tunisia in the final.