Asante Kotoko SC’s road back to continental relevance will begin with a high-stakes clash against Nigeria’s Kwara United in the first preliminary round of the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup. The draw, sets the stage for a September showdown that promises drama and history.
It is Kotoko’s first appearance in the tournament since 2022. The Kumasi giants will host the opening leg at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium between September 19 and 21, before heading to Nigeria for the return leg a week later. Kwara United arrive as newly crowned President’s Federation Cup champions, having edged Abakaliki FC 4-3 on penalties after a tense final.
Progress for Kotoko could set up an even sterner test, Moroccan heavyweights Wydad Casablanca await in the second preliminary round. Wydad’s pedigree in African football is unmatched, and their presence looms large for any aspiring side. Those fixtures are pencilled in for mid and late October.
Meanwhile, Ghana Premier League champions Bibiani GoldStars are bracing for their first-ever taste of the CAF Champions League. They have been drawn against Algeria’s JS Kabylie in the opening preliminary round. The first leg will be played in Ghana from September 19 to 21, with the decisive return in Algeria from September 26 to 28.
If GoldStars advance, they will meet either East End Lions of Sierra Leone or Tunisia’s US Monastir in the next round. The prize is huge, a place in the group stage of Africa’s most prestigious club competition. For the Bibiani side, this is more than just a campaign; it is a chance to cement their name among the continent’s elite.
With Ghana’s two representatives now knowing their paths, anticipation is building. For Kotoko, the mission is redemption. For GoldStars, it is about making history. Both journeys start in September, and Ghanaian football will be watching every step.
