It is almost looking like Nigerian clubs are not up to it. Every year winners and runners up of NPFL represent Nigeria at the CAF ChampionLeague, but get easily knocked out without making any significant impart.
Some school of thoughts are of the opinion that NPFL as well as clubs in Nigeria are not strong enough to compete at the continental level. That may not be entirely true because Enyimba International of Aba won the coverted trophy back to back in 2003 and 2004.
What happened then, why are other Nigerian teams not taking a clue from Enyimba. We thought to reach out to some of the key actors who were the driving force for such historic success Enyimba attained...and to ask them how to win CAF Champions League; what it takes or what they did that made the difference in 2003 and 2004.
"When a club management is ready to compete and win you just know it. They roll out a clear goal and provide all the necessary tools as well as funds required. That was what Orji Uzor Kalu did in 2003 and 2004 when he was the executive governor of Abia state. He wanted to make a difference with Enyimba and gave the team his full support.
You see, to win CAF champions league requires a lot, the funding is mega bucks, the politics, the technical skills and psychological astuteness must all be there... There's a mentaity the players must imbibe quickly, you have to build team spirit and team believe that it is the trophy or nothing. Ikhana Explained.
"To win Caf Champions league, you have to select the right mix of players and coaching crew, a team that looks like the national team, but stronger in dept..
You may go beyond the shores of our country to achieve this. When you go for continental games you have to watch out for such players with lion heart and track their progress to sign them for the next caf champions league campaign. We had Vincent Enyeama, Ndidi Anumunu, Victor Ezeji, Micheal Ochei, Obinna Nwaneri, Ahmed Garba...the best at that time. We have foreign players like David Tyavkase, Joetex Fripong...
You need the full support of the governor first, then other well meaning fans of the club will follow. Every game in the champions league requires a unique planning. You must find a way to know the team you are playing next, what they are capable of doing. Then engage the right logistics...travel arrangement, visas, flight, accommodation and welfare of your team must be concluded on time to avoid unecessary protocol as part of the antics purported by your opponent team.
"Indeed, Felix Anyasi Agwu is a great Team Manager no doubt, but it goes beyond him, that's why Enyimba hasn't win again since 2004. The politics of continental football, you must prepare for it and win all your home games convincingly, then set up a war in your away games, a fight to finish mentality. The boys must be motivated, the boys must be ready to play for you in each game. Teams like Al Ahly, Esperance...understands how to do these things and your team must match them in all their antics.
