Two Nigerian clubs may make it to the group stage of next season’s CAF Confederation Cup, but they most likely will not win it.
This is the startling verdict of a Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) referees’ assessor, Dele Atoun, who also ruled out the chances of any of the country’s four teams making it to the CAF Champions League group stage.
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Atoun, who is a retired referee and erudite football administrator, reckoned further that Nigerian clubs lack the type of pedigree that is required in modern-day African continental campaigns
He also inferred that NPFL winners, Rangers International of Enugu and the runners-up, Remo Stars of Ikenne may end up dropping into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, but would both still have slim chances of winning it.
The respected football buff, who is also now secretary of Lagos State Referees Association, was silent on the chances of third-placed Enyimba of Aba and Federation Cup winners, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri making progress in Confederation Cup, but insinuated that the terrain might also be too rough for them.
He, nonetheless, submitted that seeing two of the four Nigerian clubs make it to the Confederation Cup group stage would be acceptable to him, considering the tough challenges he expects them to face during their qualification matches.
“Satisfaction for me would be if we can have two teams in the group stage, but I doubt if it will be the Champions League,” Atoun began.
He continued: “I see the possibility of our teams dropping from the Champions League and qualifying for the group stage of the Confederation Cup. That will be a satisfaction to me.
“We must know that if we don’t do well this year, there is a possibility that it will affect our coefficients next season.
“Thank God for Rivers United that did well and reached the quarter-finals stage of Confederation Cup last year.
“I think that is one reason why CAF retained us four clubs that we still have in the continent this season.
“So, I’ll be satisfied if we can produce two teams in the group stage … if not the CAF Champions League, let it be in the CAF Confederation Cup. I think that will bring satisfaction for me.”
He then looked at the possibility of a Nigerian team going all the way to the trophy, which he declared is unlikely, but conceded that they could pull off some surprises at the group level.
“Anything can happen from the group stage. But, sincerely, as much as I would like us to win it, that is only the patriotism in me.
“With the reality of what club football is now in Africa, I doubt if we have any of our teams that can favourably compete for the two continental trophies,” Atoun submitted.
