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Four continental-bound NPFL clubs to headline six-team Jos pre-season tournament
Rangers International, Rivers United, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors will lead a six-team pre-season tournament in Jos as they prepare for the 2026/27 continental campaign.
The competition is scheduled to take place from 18 to 23 August at the New Jos Stadium, with Plateau United and Mighty Jets completing the line-up as wildcard entrants.
The tournament will form part of the participating clubs’ preparations for the new season, which is due to begin with the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign from 28 to 30 August.
Rangers International, Rivers United, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors are all preparing for continental commitments during the 2026/27 campaign. Their participation in Jos is expected to give them an opportunity to continue building towards those competitions while also completing their preparations for the domestic season.
The six teams will use the event to assess their squads, improve match fitness and evaluate new signings before the start of the campaign.
The inclusion of Plateau United and Mighty Jets adds a local element to the tournament. Both clubs are based in Jos and will have the chance to face several of the country’s leading teams during the six-day event.
Rangers International, Rivers United, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors are expected to provide the main competitive focus, given their preparations for continental football. Plateau United and Mighty Jets, meanwhile, will join the tournament as wildcard teams, ensuring that the competition includes two sides with a direct connection to the host city.
The tournament’s timing gives the clubs a final period of competitive preparation before the NPFL season begins later in August. It is intended to help coaches review their squads and establish the level of readiness required for the demanding schedule ahead.
For the four clubs involved in continental preparations, the matches will also offer an opportunity to test their options before their respective campaigns begin. The event will allow them to work on team combinations, build fitness through competitive action and assess how new arrivals have settled into their squads.
The organisers have scheduled the tournament to conclude on 23 August, leaving the participating clubs only a short period before the NPFL’s planned 28-30 August opening window.
With four NPFL clubs preparing for continental competition and two Jos-based wildcard sides involved, the tournament will combine pre-season preparation with a strong local presence at the New Jos Stadium.
