Former Nigerian International goalkeeper, Joseph Dosu has warned Nigerian clubs representatives in both CAF champions league and CAF Confederation Cup to avoid early goals when they confront the North African clubs in the return legs of both competitions this weekend.
Nigerian club representatives in CAF champions league, Rivers United defeated Wydad Casablanca 2-1 in Port Harcourt, while Plateau United also humbled Esperance of Tunisia 2-1 in Abuja over the weekend.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Kwara United against all odds thrashed defending champions, RS Berkane of Morocco 3-1 at the Onikan stadium, Lagos.
As Nigerian clubs are preparing for return leg this weekend against North African side, Dosu in a chat with sports 247.ng congratulated the Nigerian clubs for their hard fought victories over their opponents but quickly reminded them the task ahead in the return leg.
The 1996 Olympic football gold medalist said their return leg would be tougher but noted that if they could hold their opponents from scoring early goal, they may scale through to the group stage of the tournaments.
“It was a good results for our club representatives in CAF tourneys over the weekend but they should not celebrate yet because they have return leg this weekend to decide if they would qualify for the group stage.What Rivers United,Plateau United and Kwara United need now is to remain focus and avoid early goal against the North Africa clubs and if they can hold them in their home ground, they stand the chance to qualify for the group stage,”he said.
Asked which Nigerian club has brighter chance to qualify for the next stage of the tournaments,the former super Eagles goalie said all the three clubs stand the chance to qualify if they can show determination, resilience and fighting spirits against their opponents.
“To me , I am expecting three of them to qualify if they can avoid early goal.The North African Clubs have a way of frustrating their opponents so Nigerian clubs should be prepared to play against referees and home fans but like I said if they are determined, they can shock them before their vociferous fans and I wish all the clubs all the best as they are preparing for their return leg this weekend against the North Africa side,”he said.
