Football Nigeria -- Eagles Etcetera

For the second year running, only one Nigerian club reached the league phase of continental cup. Last year, it was Enyimba. This year? It is Rivers United. Three other clubs, including Enugu Rangers, Wikki Tourists and FC Ifeanyi Ubah (FCIU), started the journey alongside Rivers United. Obviously, Nigeria exports most of its top players to foreign clubs and, thus, cannot be considered a perennial challenger for continental cups. However, under that exportation climate, Enyimba won two consecutive African Champions league trophies in 2003 and 2004. Thus, while migration/exportation of players to oversea clubs may explain poor performance of Nigerian clubs in the continent, it isn't an adequate explanation especially for failure to reach the group stage of continental competitions. So why does the failure occur? Why did three clubs fail this year where Rivers United has succeeded? Here are five plausible reasons, in no particular order: 1. Match fitness. Clearly, this is wh...

Just a few days ago, the new CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad, began to publicly outline his agenda for his tenure as President. Ahmad's victory over the aged Issa Hayatou was widely celebrated as victory for change and progress and Nigeria's Amaju Pinnick was received as a hero upon his return home and showered with congratulatory messages. From the agenda that Ahmad has outlined, thus far, it provides us with the picture to evaluate whether the vote Nigeria's Amaju Pinnick cast in Ahmad's favor benefits Nigeria or not?  First, let us outline Ahmad's plans as reported in the media before evaluating them in terms of how they may serve Nigeria's interest. Here are items in Ahmad's stated agenda: 1.  Change the cycle of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) from two to four years.  2.  Change the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations from January-February to June-July. 3.  Increase number of participating countries in the African Cup of Nations from 16 to 24...