Trophy was named after Moshood Abiola, a Nigerian businessman, publisher and politician and the first Director of Sports in independent Nigeria.

31 teams participated in the CAF Cup's first edition, and the Nigerian club Shooting Stars F.C.

The Moroccan club Raja CA was the last to hold the trophy in 2003 defeating the Cameroonian Cotonsport de Garoua in the final.

All rounds of the competition including the final were played according to the knock-out system of two legs tie.

The team which scores a higher aggregate number of goals in the two matches was qualified for the next round.