CAFCC: El-Kanemi Warriors laments cost of playing in Ikenne

2023/24 President Federation Cup champions, El-Kanemi Warriors, have expressed concerns over the financial burden of playing their CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) home fixtures at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

Initially, El-Kanemi had planned to use the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja after the El-Kanemi Stadium failed to meet the required CAF standards. However, the Africa football governing body has also rejected the MKO stadium due to the poor condition of the pitch.

CAF subsequently directed the Maiduguri-based club to play their home fixtures in Ikenne, a decision that Borno State Commissioner for Sports, Sainna Buba, described as a financial strain on the club.

“The past few days, we have been battling to see how we can change this, as CAF has released a bulletin that we will play in Remo (Ikenne),” Buba told Foot-Afrik.

“Playing there will cost us ₦5-6 million, so we are trying to sort out many things at the moment. It is unfortunate that throughout the North, there is no stadium that can host us.”

El-Kanemi Warriors secured their CAFCC ticket as Nigeria’s second representative, following their 2-0 victory over Abia Warriors in the Federation Cup final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Saturday, June 29.

As it stands, the Maiduguri-based club will host Benin’s Dadje FC in the first leg of the preliminary round in Ikenne on Sunday, August 18. The second leg will take place at the Stade de l’Amitie in Cotonou on Sunday, August 25.

The winner of the two-legged fixture will face Morocco’s RS Berkane in the second preliminary round.