Nigeria’s two representatives in the continent’s second club competition suffered disappointing defeats last weekend, and the country’s top football boss expects better from both in the return fixture
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has charged Kano Pillars and Rivers United to aim for redemption when the two NPFL clubs face their opponents in the CAF Confederations Cup games this weekend.
Both Nigerian representatives succumbed to losses away from home in the first leg of their matchups.
Kano Pillars suffered a 3-1 defeat to Jaraaf FC in Senegal despite taking the lead through Jamil Muhammad at the Stade Lat Dior, while Rivers United were beaten 2-1 by Equatorial Guinean side Futuro Kings.
A disappointed Pinnick believes Nigerian clubs should be performing better when representing the country on the African continent.
“Our clubs should be made of sterner stuff,” Pinnick told the Nigerian media, as per the Daily Mail.
“I am at a loss to understand how Pillars can take the lead in Senegal only to collapse and lose 3-1 against Jaraaf.
“I am so disappointed with Kano and Rivers. I expected much greater spirit and steel from these clubs when they represent Nigeria in Africa.”
Both Kano Pillars and Rivers United can still qualify ahead of their opponents with convincing wins in the return legs.
Mai Su Gida needs to secure a 2-0 victory while Rivers United can advance with a 1-0 triumph and Pinnick expects that to be the minimum target of both clubs.
“My challenge to both teams is to win convincingly at home and qualify for the next round of the Confederation Cup,” the NFF boss said.
Kano Pillars host Jafaar at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Saturday, December 5, 2020, while Rivers United seek revenge against Futuro Kings at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt the following day.