By Ibrahim Tukur

El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri is set to benefit from a $50,000 financial boost from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as one of four Nigerian representatives in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup. 
 
The funds are part of a broader financial support package for all participating teams in the 2024–2025 CAF Inter-Club competitions. It is expected to aid the team’s preparations for the crucial encounter. 
 
This is the first time CAF has offered financial assistance to clubs at this stage of the competition. Previously, clubs needed to reach the group stagesto was eligible to share the overall prize money. 
 
The preliminary round of the CAF competitions is set to kick off this Friday, with the El-Kanemi Warriors’ match scheduled for Saturday. 
 
Joining El-Kanemi Warriors in the CAF Confederation Cup is Enyimba International, while Rangers International and Remo Stars will fly the Nigerian flag in the Champions League.
 
Meanwhile, as excitement builds up ahead of the El-Kanemi Warriors’ CAF debut, football enthusiasts in Maiduguri are urging the Borno State government to expedite the renovation of the El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium. 
 
The supporters believe that playing home matches in Maiduguri would significantly enhance the team’s chances of progressing in the competition and engaging the local youth. 
 
Football fans like Rufai Yunusa and Mohammed Sanusi have expressed concern over the team’s current arrangement to play home matches at Ikenna Stadium in Ogun State. 
 
The fans have appealed to the governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, to prioritise the stadium renovation to enable the El-Kanemi Warriors to enjoy the advantage of home support.