Yemi Olanrewaju Sounds Alarm Over Nigerian Clubs Struggles In African Football

Rivers United assistant coach Yemi Olanrewaju has questioned the ability of Nigerian football clubs to compete consistently with their continental rivals, citing disparities in financial resources, training facilities and infrastructure across African football.

Olanrewaju made the remarks following Enugu Rangers’ elimination from the CAF Champions League, explaining that his experience in continental competitions had exposed significant differences between Nigerian teams and several other African clubs.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the former Enyimba manager maintained that Nigerian clubs lacked the resources required to compete effectively at the highest level of African football, despite their domestic achievements and qualification for continental tournaments.

Olanrewaju, who previously guided Enyimba and Rivers United into the group stages of CAF competitions, said his firsthand experience had shaped his assessment of the challenges facing Nigerian teams.

He argued that differences in budgets, facilities and overall infrastructure placed many Nigerian clubs at a disadvantage when competing against better-resourced opponents from other African countries.

His comments came after Rangers suffered a 3-0 defeat to Algerian champions MC Alger in the second leg of their second preliminary-round encounter at the Ali La Pointe Stadium in Algiers.

The result gave MC Alger a 3-2 aggregate victory, overturning Rangers’ 2-0 advantage from the first leg played in Abeokuta and ending the Nigerian champions’ hopes of reaching the group stage.

Rangers had appeared well positioned to advance after securing a two-goal lead in the first leg. However, the Algerian side mounted a dramatic comeback in the return fixture.

Chahreddine Boukholda opened the scoring for MC Alger in the 58th minute, raising hopes of a comeback for the hosts. Rangers were given an opportunity to maintain their advantage when goalkeeper saved Mohamed Bangoura’s penalty in the 70th minute.

Bangoura eventually drew MC Alger level on aggregate with a goal six minutes before the end of regulation time, before Soufiane Bayazid struck three minutes into stoppage time to complete the turnaround.

Rangers’ elimination followed Rivers United’s exit in the first preliminary round, leaving Nigeria without a representative in the CAF Champions League group stage.

The disappointing results have renewed attention on the challenges confronting Nigerian clubs in continental competitions, particularly questions surrounding funding, infrastructure and their ability to sustain competitive performances against stronger opposition.

Olanrewaju’s assessment reflects concerns about the need for improved investment and better facilities if Nigerian teams are to compete more consistently with Africa’s leading clubs.

With their continental campaign over, Rangers will now focus on the Nigeria Premier Football League, where they are level on points with Rivers United at the top of the table.