Rivers United assistant coach Yemi 'Yema' Olanrewaju has said that Nigerian clubs are not ready to compete with top teams in Africa. This comes after Enugu Rangers were knocked out of the CAF Champions League.
Rangers lost 3-0 to MC Alger in the second leg of their second preliminary round match on Friday. They ended up losing 3-2 on aggregate after winning the first leg 2-0. With this result, Nigeria has no clubs left in the group stage. Rivers United was also eliminated in the first preliminary round.
The Flying Antelopes were in the lead until the second half. Chahreddine Boukholda scored in the 58th minute. Rangers' goalkeeper saved a penalty from Mohamed Bangoura in the 70th minute. But Bangoura equalized the aggregate score just six minutes from the end. Soufiane Bayazid then scored in stoppage time, completing the comeback. By the 84th minute, Rangers lost their two-goal lead.
Olanrewaju, who is also known as Yema, shared his thoughts on social media. He used to coach Enyimba and was the youngest head coach in the league when he was in Aba.
“Having qualified back to back for group stage of CAF Competitions, in CAF Confederation Cup with Enyimba and CAF Champions League with Rivers United, I have said it that we don’t have what it takes to compete with a lot of African clubs,” he wrote.
He added in pidgin, “Our budgets, facilities and level nor reach those people.
“I was called different names. I’ve been there and see the levels and differences. Truth is bitter though.”
Rangers were hoping to reach the group stage for the first time in this competition. Now they must focus on the league, where they are tied on points with Rivers at the top.
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