With less than three weeks to the commencement of the 201/2022 CAF inter-clubs competitions, Nigeria’s quartet of Akwa United, Rivers United, Enyimba and Bayelsa United are busy in the transfer market as they seek to bolster their respective squads ahead of the continental battles.
At the end of the 2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, Akwa United and Rivers United picked the tickets to represent the country in the Champions League while former African champions, Enyimba and Akwa United qualified to compete in the second tier CAF club competition, the Confederation Cup.
While the trio of Akwa United, Rivers United and Enyimba qualified on the platform of the NPFL, Bayelsa United picked their ticket as winners of this year’s Aiteo/Federation Cup.
It will be recalled that against all odds, they defeated Nasarawa United 4-3 on penalties after 2-2 in regulation time to qualify to represent Nigeria in the continent.
Going by the draws conducted by CAF on August 13, the 2021/2022 editions of the Champions League and Confederation Cup will kick-off on September 10.
While some highly ranked clubs like Enyimba are exempted from the first preliminary round matches, other lowly rated clubs will start the qualifying series from scratch.
Following their exemption, Enyimba who ended in third position on the 2021 NPFL table, are automatically through to the second round of the Confederation Cup. They will face the winner of the clash between Senegal’s Diambars and Guinea’s Wakirya Athletic Club.
Meanwhile, reigning NPFL champions, Akwa United will face champions of Algeria Ligue, CR Belouizdad in the first preliminary round for a place in the next round of the competition just as Rivers United are drawn against Tanzania giants, Young Africans.
Nigeria’s other representative in the first preliminary round of the Confederation Cup, Bayelsa United are pitched against West African neighbours, AS Ashanti Golden Boys of Ghana.
As the NPFL clubs prepare for the continental challenges, the recurring problem of late commencement of the domestic league which has remained a cog in the wheel of NPFL club’s continental aspirations is still staring them in the face.
Most Nigerian football stakeholders are worried that for the umpteenth time, the Nigerian representatives will go into their continental matches before the resumption of the NPFL.
The implication is that the level of fitness of the Nigerian club will be far below their opponents whose leagues must have started before the CAF competitions.
Although this is no doubt a challenge, the clubs are already making concerted efforts to arrest the continuous failures of Nigerian clubs in the continent.
It is on record that after Enyimba broke a 40-year jinx to win the CAF Champions League back-to-back in 2003 and 2004, no Nigerian club has won any of the CAF inter-club competitions.
Consequently, Akwa United who are making their debut in the Champions League have been very active in the transfer window. They want to strengthen their squad for the big task at hand.
As at the time of press, Akwa United had offloaded at least 11 ‘tired legs’ to create room for new arrivals who are expected to beef up the Champions League squad.
Thus, the camp of the ‘Promise Keepers’ as Akwa United are called is a bee-hive of activities as some of the best players in the domestic league are jostling one another for a chance to play in the continent.
So far, James Ajako has officially joined the champions from relegated Jigawa Golden Stars on a two year deal. The left back is expected to help fortify the defence of the ‘Promise Keepers’ going into the continent.
Dakkada midfield maestro, Isaac George and teammate, Austin Osayande have also crossed over to Akwa United. Others are Etop Udoh from Saudi side, Arar FC, Evans Ogbonda from FC IfeanyiUbah, Dennis Nya who was loaned to Plateau United, Aniefiok God’spower from Enugu Rangers and Ezekiel Bassey from PetroJet SC of Egypt.
The technical adviser of Akwa United, Kennedy Boboye in an exclusive interview with Trust Sports said “We have about two or three players, including Charles Atshimene, our highest goalscorer who will be leaving us soon. We must get players who can easily understand the pattern we play.
“We will have to take it step by step. First, we have to get our recruitment right as we have some players leaving soon.”
Akwa United’s compatriots in the Champions League, Rivers United are also trying to shore up their squad as they prepare to face the Young Africans of Tanzania.
They may not be as busy as Akwa United in the transfer market, but the ‘Pride of Rivers’ have also made new acquisitions to firm up their squad.
Prominent among the players who have pitched tent with Rivers United is Lobi Stars duo of Nigerian internationals, John Lazarus and Ebube Duru who joined recently.
Rivers United are also discussing with Kano Pillars to have their inspirational attacking winger, Auwalu Ali Malam for a loan that will last for six months.
In the just concluded season, the home-based Super Eagles player once again proved that he is one of the best players in the domestic league by scoring crucial goals for Kano Pillars.
Nigeria’s most successful club, Enyimba are also active in the transfer window as they are said to be on the verge of signing quality players to strengthen their squad.
It is now an open secret that barring last minute break down in discussions, Kano Pillars burly forward, Samuel Stone who was loaned to Jigawa Stars will join the ‘Peoples elephants’.
Other notable players linked with Enyimba are Abia Warriors’ Leke Ojo, Paul Samson, Adekunle Adeleke, Fatai Abdullahi and Chukwuemeka Obioma.
Emotan Cletus of Rivers United, Chigozie Obasi of Nasarawa United, Ekene Awazie of relegated side, FC IfeanyiUbah and Heartland FC’s rock solid defender, Pascal Eze are also linked with Enyimba.
In the same vein, Nigeria National League side, Bayelsa United who shocked Nasarawa United in the Aiteo Cup finals to qualify for Confederation Cup are also trying to field a strong squad.
Goalkeeper John Shaibu whose heroics between the sticks gave Bayelsa United the continental ticket is confident his side can take inspiration from Leicester City’s first Premier League title and claim CAF Confederation Cup glory.
“Football is all about time and opportunity. Nobody gave us a chance in the first place to win the Aiteo Cup, yet we achieved that by defeating a topflight team,” Shaibu told Goal.com.
“Now that we have this chance, we are looking forward to representing Nigeria well and we are not just going to make up the number of participating teams.
“We have already commenced preparations for our campaign and with our youthful squad, we can do a Leicester City,” he promised.
The winner of the clash between Bayelsa United and AS Ashanti Golden Boys of Ghana will face Tunisian giants, CS Sfaxien in the first round of qualifiers.
The first leg of the first round of the qualifiers is scheduled for October 15-17 while the second leg will come up the following week.
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