This weekend, three Nigerian clubs namely Rivers United, Kwara United and Plateau United face uphill tasks in the quest to overturn the never-ending North African clubs dominance in CAF inter- club competitions.
The three remaining Nigerian clubs in the Confederation of African (CAF) inter-clubs competitions namely Rivers United, Plateau United and Kwara United are respectively up against Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), RS Berkane (Morocco) and Esperance (Tunisia) in what promises to be gusty ties this weekend.
Over the years, North African teams have proved to be Nigerian clubs’ nemesis in recent years.
In the last round of the CAF Confederation Cup for instance, AS FAR of Morocco showed why North African teams always have an edge over Nigerian teams as they edged out Remo Stars who posted an impressive 1-1 away draw to the Moroccans.
But they got the shock of their lives as the Moroccans qualified to the next stage after a 1-0 In Ikenne to earn a 2-1 aggregate win to the chagrin of Remo Stars who were making their debut on the continent. The other three teams managed to pull through to the second round.
In the CAF Champions League, Rivers United defeated Liberian side, Watanga FC 3-1 on aggregate. Plateau United also scaled through against AS Stade Mandji (Gabon) 3-2 on aggregate while Kwara United eliminated AS Douanes of Niger Republic 3-0 on aggregate.
Incidentally, all the three Nigerian clubs are playing the first leg of the second round at home in Lagos (Kwara United), Abuja (Plateau United) and Port Harcourt (Rivers United).
Already, many pundits are predicting doom this term against the North African teams despite the odd against them before the start of hostilities.
Kwara United are up against reigning champions in the competition, RS Berkane with the first leg fixed for the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos Sunday. Paul Samson who joined the Ilorin side from Abia Warriors confirmed that they are going into the fixture with the determination to prove doubters wrong.
He said no one has given them a chance because of the woeful record Nigerian teams have against North African teams but that Kwara United are desirous in changing the narrative
“We know the odds are against us but we have been preparing very well and training very hard to get a good first leg result at home,” Samson said.
“We know that people do not have confidence in us because we are facing a North African team but we are going to surprise them. I came to Kwara United to be involved in this type of games. It was an honour to have played my first two games on the continent.
“I want to play more and help my team with goals. I have one already and I am targeting more to ensure we qualify for the next round.”
In the CAF Champions League, reigning Nigerian league champions, Rivers United will square up against defending champions Wydad Athletic Club Sunday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt as the duo of Joseph Onoja and Ebube Duru are talking tough ahead of the first leg tie.
Onoja, a former player of Heartland and Gombe United disclosed that they are not bothered about the intimidating record of their opponents as he charged his teammates to lift up to the billing as the champions of the Nigerian league and ensure the Moroccans are torn apart in Port Harcourt.
“The spirit in camp has been warm and receptive. We are not thinking about the opponent. We are thinking about ourselves,” Onoja said.
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