Enyimba highest ranked Nigerian side as North Africans dominate CAF top 50 ranking

Enyimba FC

Although Enyimba of Aba is struggling in this season’s Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), the Peoples Elephant are still considered the country’s best club by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In its latest ranking published yesterday, Enyimba is rated as Africa’s 23rd best team, with the closest Nigerian side, Enugu Rangers, in the 44th position, followed by Lobi Stars as number 49.

The ranking is dominated by clubs from North Africa following their stupendous performances in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

The current ranking takes into retrospect the last five years with the index based on each side’s performance in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly, who lost the CAF Champions League final to Wydad Casablanca a fortnight ago, sit top of the list with the Moroccan giants behind them.

CAF Confederation Cup winner, RS Berkane, makes the top five alongside Tunisian outfit, Esperance.

Mamelodi Sundowns sit sixth with TP Mazembe, Zamalek, Pyramids and Star of the Sahel completing the top 10.

Meanwhile, the 2022/2023 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions will begin on August 12, the CAF has announced.

The group stages for both competitions will start in September and end before November 18 for clubs to free players, who will represent their countries at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The knockouts will not start until February 2023 after the African Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament is to be held in Algeria.

NPFL leaders, Rivers United and Plateau United are Nigeria’s leading candidates for the CAF Champions League.

From the onset of the 2021/22 season, the teams have been at the forefront of the race for the title, but