A cross-section of football enthusiasts in Abuja on Monday hailed the performances of the country’s four representatives in the 2017 Confederation of African Football (CAF) club competitions.
TheNewsGuru reports that Rangers International Football Club of Enugu were the first to step out, holding JS Saoura of Algeria to a 1-1 draw.
The match played in Algiers was a first round first leg fixture in the CAF Champions League.
Also, Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt on Saturday held AS Real Bamako of Mali to a goalless draw in Bamako in the same competition.
On Sunday, FC IfeanyiUbah of Nnewi defeated visiting Al Masry of Egypt 1-0 in the first leg of the preliminary round of the ongoing 2017 CAF Confederation Cup in Nnewi.
However, it was a sad outing for Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, who fell 2-0 to Royal Forces FC of Sierra Leone in the CAF Confederation Cup also.
Football enthusiasts, however described the results as impressive, adding that a lot of work still needed to be done.
Patrick Pascal, Super Eagles’ team coordinator said the results were quite commendable, especially because their opponents were no pushovers and were also top sides in their various countries.
“Away draws as in the case of Rangers and Rivers United are not bad, but we must ensure that we do our homework well and not take our opponents for granted as they will be coming to cause an upset, “he said.
Pascal said, as for Wikki Tourists, it was not over yet, and the Bauchi side must pick themselves, go back to the drawing board.
“They must prepare well to ensure they deal decisively with the Sierra Leonean side in Bauchi,’’ he added.
Musa Talle, the FCT Football Association Chairman, said the victory for FC IfeanyiUbah was good, but added however that the situation could still be dicey.
“The lone goal victory by the Anambra Warriors is commendable, but they must have to guard against complacency when they go away to Egypt.
“The Egyptians, as we have seen over the years, are very good at finishing the job on home soil.
“They will attack, throwing all in their arsenal at you till the last blast of the whistle. So, we must be very wary of them,” he said.
Talle also noted that the goalless draw by Rivers United was not a bad result, but could still be dangerous,.
“Rangers are in a better position to qualify, having scored an away goal.’’
He however said Wikki Tourists have a lot of work on their hands, having conceded two goals.
“They must therefore ensure they work on their attack and score two or more goals, while ensuring that they do not concede any,” Talle said.
Godwin Bamigboye, Chairman of FCT Football Coaches Association, said the performances of the various clubs were commendable.
“The time has come for us to bring back the glory days of the country’s dominance in the CAF club competitions.
“The boys have done well so far, but we must remember that it is not yet uhuru.
“The coaches must be very tactical and technical in their various approaches to the second leg.
“I believe they have seen the strengths and weaknesses of their various opponents and will go back to the drawing board and do a proper evaluation for a successful execution of their task in the next leg.
“We must bring back the glory days of teams like Enyimba, who won the competition back-to-back.
“There is no reason why we can’t achieve that feat again, “he said.
TheNewsGuru reports that the second leg ties of the pairings in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions come up in less than a week’s time