Rangers and Rivers United will be representing Nigeria in Africa's premier competition - the CAF Champions League. Meanwhile, 3SC of Ibadan will also represent the country on the continent in the CAF Confederations Cup for the first time in 27 years. So what should they do in other to make Nigerians proud of their performance on the continent? Read on to find out.
It's no longer news that Enugu Rangers have equalled Enyimba's title winning record by defeating Ikorodu City 2-1 in Lagos on Sunday evening. Rivers United have also registered their spot in the CAF Champions League by finishing second on the log. Shooting Stars Sport Club of Ibadan have also confirmed their spot in Africa's second tier league - the Confederations Cup. But the poor outing of Nigerian clubs on the continent need to improve.
The last time a Nigerian club made it out of the group stage in a major CAF interclub competition was Enyimba in the 2018 CAF Confederations Cup. Since then, Nigerian club even barely make it to the group stage of CAF interclub competitions. So what should Nigeria's representative do this time around to produce an outstanding showing on the continent?
1) They need to keep their stand out players from the just concluded season
Nigerian clubs are fond of letting go of their quality players after an impressive campaign in the league. This barbaric habit has got to stop if Nigerian clubs desire to go far on the continent next season. As witnessed with Remo Stars who were crowned champions last season only to get relegated this season. They lost majority of their stand out performers in the league and they suffered for it greatly.
Nigerian clubs playing on the continent have got to learn how to keep hold of their stand out players and instead get in more quality players home and abroad to improve their performance on the continent.
2) There is need to improve infrastructure
One of the major issues of Nigerian clubs playing on the continent is poor infrastructure. They often get to play away from their traditional home because of poor infrastructure. I am not sure the Cathedral will be certified good enough to host CAF Champions League games for Enugu Rangers. Rivers United had to play away from Portharcourt this season when they represented Nigeria on the continent. It remains to be seen if the stadium in Ibadan will be certified good enough for 3SC to host CAF Confederations Cup football next season.
Playing in front of your fans at your traditional ground has a way of aiding performance and this is one thing lacking with Nigerian clubs on the continent who have refused to improve their infrastructures.
3) The players welfare needs to be improved upon
Improving the players welfare can not be overemphasized. Nigerian club owners need to improve the welfare package of their players especially those representing the country on the continent. As compared to their counterparts in other countries playing on the continent, Nigerian clubs are one of the poorest in terms of welfare for their players. This needs to improve if we want to see Nigerian clubs making us proud on the continent.
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