Former Enyimba striker Victor Ezeji has urged Nigerian clubs aiming for success in continental competitions to improve their preparation, emphasizing that playing on the continent is a much tougher challenge compared to the domestic league.
Ezeji stressed the importance of retaining key players and developing strategies to consistently advance beyond the group stage. He also lamented Nigeria’s underutilization of the four slots allocated for continental tournaments each season.
His comments follow Enyimba International FC’s elimination from the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup after a disappointing 3-1 loss to Zamalek SC in Egypt on Sunday. The defeat marked Enyimba’s third in six group games, leaving them third in the table with just five points from a possible 18.
Speaking to Brila.net, Ezeji expressed frustration over Nigerian teams’ lack of preparation for the challenges of continental football.
“Our four slots every year, we don’t even do anything meaningful with it. After the first round, we’re usually left with just one team.
What’s the point of having four slots when we can’t do anything meaningful with them? It’s a waste of resources,” Ezeji stated.
He emphasized the need for long-term planning and improvement in the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL
“We need to rebuild our league and start planning properly to produce teams capable of performing on the continent.
Coaches and clubs are desperate to qualify for continental competitions, but they’re not adequately prepared for what awaits them.”
Ezeji also highlighted the issue of player retention, saying:
“Our best players leave for obscure leagues every season, leaving us with weakened squads.
To compete effectively on the continent, we must assemble quality players, keep them together, and ensure they are equipped to progress past the group stage. It’s been too long since that happened.”
Nigerian clubs have struggled to make an impact in CAF competitions in recent years. The last time a Nigerian club won a CAF tournament was in 2004, when Enyimba triumphed in the CAF Champions League.
Since then, no Nigerian team has claimed the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup title.
Ezeji’s call serves as a reminder of the need for a strategic overhaul in Nigerian club football to reclaim dominance on the continental stage.
