By Paul Bassey

Immediately after the draws for CAF Champions league and CAF Confederation Cup, I put a call through to the Chairman of Enyimba FC, Chief Felix Anyansi,wishing him well through a draw that I considered “favourable” He agreed with me that a preliminary round match against Vipers of Uganda, graduating to face the winner of the match between Lioli of Lesotho and Vital O of Burundi was good enough to help the team progress in the competition.

Enyimba remains Nigeria’s most successful club in Africa yet the last three years has been a nightmare and it is still a miracle that we are still benefitting a complement of the full club participation Last year, no Nigerian club made it to the second round of any of the CAF Club Cups.

You can imagine a club like Enyimba starting the competition this year in the preliminaries where their “mates” Cotton Sport, A.C Leopards, El Ahly, Zamalek, T.P Mazembe, El Merreikh, Al Hilal, Zamalek and co have been drawn bye. That is the sign of the times.

This year, things must change for the better and Anyansi agrees. “ We have never faced Ugandan opposition before, but I am happy to play them. After that, we will take every match as it comes. We have to regain our respect in Africa “ The widely travelled and respected soccer administrator said.

That is for the league winner. The Confederation Cup Champions, Akwa United will have their baptism in Congo against an unknown club called V. Club Mokanda, who ply their trade in Pointe Noire ( Artificial turf) Akwa United is expected to come back with a favourable result and round it up in Uyo before going on to meet the winner of the match between Police of Rwanda and Atlabara of Southern Sudan.

Again, the chairman of Akwa United Mr Nse Ubeh sees this as a “ a good draw” one that will help the club progress farther in the competition. “I am happy that we will be playing away first. That will not only expose us to the experience of continental assignment, but will afford us the opportunity of making do in front of our home supporters” He said.

Warri Wolves join Enyimba in the Champions League. Their story last year is not worth repeating that is why “…God has given them another chance to make amends….” Unlike Enyimba, Warri Wolves will be called upon to face a stiff opposition very early in the competition. After meeting Praia Crutz of Sao Tome and Principe, Warri Wolves will go smack into the challenge of experienced campaigners, Group Stage exponents and Sudanese champions El Merreikh .

The fourth Nigerian Club Nasarawa United can also be considered “lucky” to be drawn against Generation Foot of Senegal in their first match. After that they have to prepare for the tricky North African opposition as they travel to Algeria to face C.S.Constantinoi.

The die is cast. More than ever, the fourth clubs representing Nigeria must be aware that between now and February 13 is a very short time in a country where so much premium is paid to holidays and merriment. Nigerian Clubs unlike their counterparts in Africa do not have the luxury of the league to fine tune their players and teams before debuting in Africa.

By the time we go continental, the league may not be on, so NOW is the time to put the team in shape, play local and international friendly matches to keep in shape. In order words the coaches and players must be in place in the next week. Documentation completed, training in progress.

The mistakes of the past are still starring us in the face. I have said it at another forum that as a CAF Club Licensing instructor, one with a wide knowledge in African football as a CAF Match Commissioner and General Coordinator, I will be only too willing to help brush our clubs in readiness for the African challenge.

Playing in Africa is definitely not the same as playing domestic football. A trip to North Africa as an example demands a different approach to the one involving a West African, or East African opposition, for that matter. With Rangers, Shooting Stars, Bendel Insurance, Stationery Stores, Enyimba, we sat on top of African football. With other clubs, we did not give in without a fight. Today the story is different. It should not be.

THE ROAD TO RIO

Grateful to Coach Sia Sia and his boys for not only qualifying us to the Olympics in Rio, but for winning the African Challenge as well. The road to Rio was not easy. Distractions on and off the field, doubts as to the suitability of players……. As we party and clink glasses, we should pause and plan ahead. Rio will not be easy. This team still needs a lot going forward. Anyway that is for tomorrow. Today, let’s pop champagne and celebrate………..but tomorrow is here….

See you next week