The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CAF Champions League

  • CAF Champions League not a red carpet affair

    CAF Champions League not a red carpet affair

    Nigerian Premier League players have been told to up their game and increase their fighting spirit if they are to make any impact on the continent.

    Spokesman of Nigeria Football Federation NFF Demola Olajire made the submission while assessing the four Nigerian clubs that recently posted disappointing outings in the CAF Champions league and CAF Confederation cup respectively.

    “Our players need to change their mentality. Their fighting spirit is low and needs to be changed. You cannot continue to dwell on excuses that you were given hostile reception and all that.  It is a competition and you need to work hard to achieve set target nobody will roll out red carpet for you” he said

    Glass House head of technical department had earlier taken a swipe at Rangers whose he noted fall short of expectation from league defending champions even as he threw pebbles at Rangers management for allowing off the pitch distractions affect the team’s continental campaign.

    FC IfeanyiUbah and Wikki Tourist both failed to survive the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup. Rangers international and Rivers United on the other hand met brick wall in the CAF Champions league forcing them into the CAF Confederation Cup play-off where Rangers eventually crashed out after losing to Zesco united of Zambia. Lone rangers Rivers United after a 2-0 home victory over Rayon sports of Rwanda, have a return leg scheduled for Kigali April 24.

    Some say only a fight to the finish attitude can ensure that the Garden city side consolidates in Kigali. There are however doubts considering that the Rivers United defeated Al-Merreikh 3-0 in Port Harcourt only to lose 4-0 in the return leg in Sudan.

  • Continental flop: Sofoluwe blames poor club management

    Continental flop: Sofoluwe blames poor club management

     

     

    Former international Yisa  Sofoluwe has blamed Nigerian clubs’ poor run in both the CAF Champions league and Confederation cup on poor club management and relegation of player’s welfare.

    Any club desirous of making a mark on the continent according to him must go beyond the pitch and ensure that the players are not only physically but also psychologically ready to compete at that level.

    “I blame it squarely on the clubs and their management.  Doing well in the continent is not just about playing you must bring out the best in the players.  A situation where players are owed salaries, sign-on fees and other entitlements, you don’t expect them to be at their best.  Sometimes they play based on promises made to them which are never fulfilled.  You don’t compete and win like that at that level, “he said

    He dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the results are an indication that the Nigerian league is inferior to other leagues in the continent.

    “It has nothing to do with standard of the league. Our league is very competitive and has been improving by the day. You now get away draws and away wins and you have very good players who can prove their worth,” he added

    The former Eagles defender charged the football authorities in the country to organise a summit on how to succeed in continental championships where they can compare their approach with that of other clubs especially North African clubs that have triumphed severally at that level,” he submitted

    The weekend was basket full of woes as Rivers United and Rangers International crashed out of the CAF Champions league after losing to Al-Merreikh and Zamalek respectively. Rivers Untied defeated the Al-Merreikh 3-0 in Port Harcourt in the first leg but suffered 4-0 defeat in Sudan to book their exit while Rangers failed to turn the table despite defeating  Zamalek 2-1 at the Cathedral crashing out on a 5-3 aggregate.

  • Emordi quits Abia Warriors

    Emordi quits Abia Warriors

     

     

    Veteran coach and CAF Champions League winner Okey Emordi has  resigned his appointment with Nigeria Professional Football league side Abia Warriors

    The resignation came less than 24-hours after the Umuahia Warriors were beaten 0-1 by El Kanemi Warriors  what was dubbed the battle of Warriors at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    Emordi said he cannot continue to stomach the series of poor results coming on the way of the top-flights in the on-going league.

    “I have thrown in the towel as head coach of Abia Warriors because of very poor performance of the club in the on-going top-flight.

    “I cannot continue to endure the pain of seeing the side produce poor results.

    “We had a draw against Sunshine Stars on home ground later went to Lafia to lose heavily 1-3 to Nasarawa United and just yesterday (Sunday) we lost 0-1 to El Kanemi Warriors.

     

    “I cannot imagine myself losing a game on home ground I think things have not augured well with me at all at Abia Warriors.

    “Ordinarily, I would have waited to see whether things will improve in our next match at Akwa United but who says the result will not be worst which may prompt the management to react.

    “I believe prevention is better than cure I have given the management my letter of resignation and it has been accepted. I will continue to wish the team well in their league campaign.

    “I think for sanity to prevail and some kind of changes to take place my decision looks like the best option.

    “My departure became inevitable to help the management to look into the way to make the team more competitive and vibrant, that’s my thinking,” said the former Enyimba and Enugu Rangers coach

    Emordi had just played nine matches with Abia Warriors with 11 points to show for his effort nine behind league leaders, Plateau United.

    Emordi who clinched coach of the year award in 2005 had while taking over at Abia Warriors set high target for the club but the strings of loses said has become too painful for comfort.

  • Battle of Cathedral: Uwadiegwu happy with Rangers’ form

    Battle of Cathedral: Uwadiegwu happy with Rangers’ form

     

     

    No nonsense defender Ugwu Uwadiegwu is at home with the form of Rangers international ahead of the second leg of CAF Champions league tie against JS Saoura o f Algeria on Sunday.

    The spirit in the camp of the flying antelopes according to him is one that can ginger any team to go the extra mile with a view to achieving set target.

    The former Enyimba strong man who described the team’s away draw in the first leg as a major boosts maintained that the odds favour Rangers when both teams file out at the Cathedral even as he urged the team’s fans to come out in large numbers to cheer the side to victory.

    “I trust the confident level in camp and I am optimistic that it will be of great benefit to us. The away draw is a major boost and I am optimistic that we will have a good game on Sunday,” he enthused

    Uwadiegwu whose experience in the champions league is sure to be added advantage for the Coal City Boys having played in the continental with Enyimba, however noted that JS Saoura are a formidable side despite the draw and should not be underrated.

    “It is true that we created more chances and should have won the match but the Algerians are a good side that should not be underrated,” he submitted

    Rangers General Manager and former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu had earlier given his side a pat on the back for putting up a good fight in Algiers while challenging the team to maintain same level of concentration to finish the job that has been started on Sunday at the Cathedral.

  • CAF Champions League: Rivers United in dangerous situation– Austine warns

    CAF Champions League: Rivers United in dangerous situation– Austine warns

    Rivers United captain, Festus Austine has said drawing 0-0 away from home against AS Real Bamako in the first leg preliminary round of the 2017 CAF Champions League is not a bad result but also described it as a ‘very dangerous situation’.

    Austine warned that he and his teammates need to do more in the return leg in Port Harcourt to get opportunity to qualify for the next stage.

    Rivers United dominated for large stretches in the stalemate at the Estadio Modibo Keita in the first leg clash on Saturday.

    “We did well not to concede but this is a very dangerous situation because if they score once in the return leg, we will have to score twice at least (to progress). AS Real Bamako is a good team and they proved it on Saturday.

    “We are also a very good side and I want to assure Nigerians that we will qualify for the first round by beating AS Real Bamako at home,” Austine said.

  • Rivers United hold AS Real Bamako to goalless draw

    Rivers United hold AS Real Bamako to goalless draw

     

     

     

    Less than 24 hours after Premier league champions   Rangers international held their Algerian counterparts to a 1-1 draw in Algiers, Rivers United have equally risen to the occasion to hold AS Real Bamako of Mali to goalless draw in Bamako in their first leg CAf Champions league tie.

    The Garden City side who refused to be intimidated right from the first blast of the whistle held their hosts to a goalless setting   till the end of the first half.

    On resumption of play in the second half Luckman Mohammed sent in a rattler that should have handed the Port Harcourt landlords a goal. From that 47th minute effort by Lukman it was Rivers United effort all the way with another attempt at goal in the 49th.

    When Real Bamako made dangerous incursion however, it was goalkeeper Femi Thomas that stopped rampaging Abdramane Traore from point blank delivery.

    Asamoah Godbless came in the 56th minute for  Lukman Mohammed as coach Stanley Eguma appears at this point to believe that he can indeed achieve something better the a draw.

    Zoumana Doumana however saw yellow in the 61st minute for a foul on Traore.

    Not even the introduction of Idrissa Traore in place of Mohammed Sangary could achieve the desperate result being sort by the hosts as Rivers United stood their ground supported by impressive performance from goalkeeper Femi Thomas.

    A 73rd minutes cross by Salim Bah that looked dangerous was perfectly collected by a very impressive Femi Thomas.

    Allissou Sanou was taken off in a stretcher in the 77th minute but that did not deter Rivers United as replacement Ayobami Asekunowo took off from he stopped mounting pressure on the hosts who were subsequently forced to introduce a Nigerian Folarin Temitope in the 79th minute to see if he can disunite Rivers United but that failed to happen rather that it gingered Coach Stanley Eguma to introduce the Benard Ovoke dubbed the magician”to replace Nzube Anazemba.

    With few minutes to the end of the match the home fans who were visibly disappointed began to exit the Modibo Keita stadium.

    There were four crucial minutes of added time which appeared to be the most tensed of all the minutes played so far but a determined   Rivers United players refused to crumble till the last whistle.

    The result gives the Garden city side a better position ahead of the return leg which they stand a good chance of winning

  • Gallant Rangers draw with JS Saoura in Algiers

    Gallant Rangers draw with JS Saoura in Algiers

     

     

    CAF champions league campaigners Rangers international were in superlative form Friday, as they forced their Algerian counterparts JS Saoura to a 1-1 draw in Algiers.

    The Flying Antelopes  who some say have been struggling  in the local league after  winning the title last season approached the match with vigor contesting every ball and displaying all the seriousness of a side determined to go far in the continental showpiece.

    Algerians shot into the lead in the 32nd minute of the match but the Imama Amakapabo tutored side responded just seven minutes later thanks to Bobby Clement who to put score line at 1-1.

    To show that they have not come to Algiers for a tea party serious minded Rangers almost got the second goal in the 42nd minute when Bobby Clément’s goal bound shot was blocked.

    As the intensity of the match increased Chiamaka Madu was thrown in place of Godwin Aguda while Daniel Etor was also unleashed in place of Osas Okoro.

    Enterprising Bobby Clement was finally pulled out for in the 88th minute for Ocheme Edoh.

    Ocheme apparently properly schooled before coming in fired a shot that almost resulted in a goal just few minutes to the end of the match.

    JS Saoura players were left surprised after the final whistle time.

    The result puts Rangers in a vintage position ahead of the return leg billed for the Cathedral in a fortnight.

    Fans of the Flying Antelopes who monitored the match did not hesitate to appreciate the away results achieved by the side, as many immediately took to the social media to congratulate the team for rising to the occasion

  • Akpokona cautions Rangers over JS Saoura clash

    Akpokona cautions Rangers over JS Saoura clash

     

     

     

    Ahead of their CAF Champions League first leg clash, Rangers international have been told to avoid loss of concentration  as the Algerians will be desperate to win at home.

    Former Coach of the side Lawrence Akpokona who made the submission in a chat with the Sunday Nation, maintained that the Flying Antelopes must push events of last season and poor start of the new season to the back seat and fight to finish to the finish make a mark on the continent.

    He noted that by emerging champions of the Nigerian league, Rangers have indirectly declare that they are a hard nut to crack and as such every opponent whether at home on the continent will want to battle them to a standstill.

    “My advice to Rangers is to ensure maximum concentration against JSS.  The match in Algeria will definitely not be easy because the Algerians will want to win at home. Concentration here is not for about 45 minutes or so but for the entire duration of the match that is the only way they can get a reasonable result and then return home to consolidate,” he said

    On the team’s poor start in the new season after five matches in the season, the former Bendel Insurance and Crown of Ogbomosho sweat merchant said there is no cause for alarm as it is too early in the day to draw conclusion

    “Some seasons are like that, you could have a slow start but gradually pick up as the league progresses so they are still on course,” he added

    The club’s new General Manager and former captain Christian Chukwu admitted that the battle of Algiers  will not be easy but added that the Coal City boys will put up a good fight with a view to getting favorable result.

    The first leg of the encounter will take place between the 10th and 12 February while the return leg has been scheduled between 17 and 19th February.

  • Iheanacho’s Manager donates to Enugu Rangers

    Iheanacho’s Manager donates to Enugu Rangers

     

    Enugu State Indigene based in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Manager to Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City striker), Kingsley Okechukwu Ogbodo this afternoon donated 50 footballs, 36 bibs and 30 jerseys to Enugu Rangers International Football Club to support the club and in appreciation of its recent victory as the Nigerian Professional Football League Champions as well as to motivate the team to win the forthcoming CAF Champions League.

    Receiving the items on behalf of the club at the Government House, Enugu, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi thanked the donor for his gesture towards the progress of Enugu Rangers and the State.

    The governor described Ogbodo as a good ambassador of the state and called on other indigenes to emulate his disposition by contributing to the development of the state and society at large.

  • Eguma counts blessings of Spain tour


    Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma has described the team’s recent playing tour of Spain as a ginger ahead of both new season kick off and the Champions league campaign which begins with away clash against AS Real Bamako in February.
    In what could pass for a pre-season stock taking, Eguma noted that impressive lessons were taken from every match played during the pre-season, adding that short comings observed during the ties have received the needed attention.
    “I can say we made good use of our pre-season and I am optimistic the gains will come handy when the new premier league season kicks off, “he enthused
    On the CAF Champions league draw that pitched the Garden City landlords against AS Real Bamako, Eguma admitted that it will not be tea party considering the pedigree of their opponents adding however that Rivers United have never been pushovers in competitions. “AS Real Bamako are no doubt a very formidable side but we done our preparation and are determined to take our chances,” he submitted
    Some Rivers United Fans who reacted shortly after the draw gave the team sometimes referred to as the Pride of Rivers over 70% chance of advancing to the next stage hinging their optimism on the fact that the team will first play the first leg away before hosting their opponent at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.