Penultimate week, the last two Nigerian clubs in CAF inter-club competitions, Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri crashed out of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup respectively. It was a  painful night for Nigerian football as Enugu Rangers surrendered a 2-0 first-leg advantage to lose 3-0 to MC Alger, exiting the CAF Champions League 3-2 on aggregate.

El-Kanemi Warriors on the other hand, fell 2-0 to Raja Casablanca, bowing out of the CAF Confederation Cup 4-2 on aggregate after a late heartbreak. Sadly, no Nigerian club will feature in the group stage of either competition this season. A disappointing outcome for Nigerian club football.

Former Nigeria international Bob Osim has criticised the country’s football system, arguing that poor planning, inadequate preparation and a lack of innovation are contributing to Nigerian clubs’ declining fortunes in African competitions.

Osim said the problem extends beyond individual coaches or club management, pointing instead to systemic shortcomings. “Our system is regressing, instead of progression. We are not ready yet. It is not about the coaches, it is not about the management; it is about the system. The sporting system in Nigeria is very, very bad.”

He argued that while other countries are embracing new ideas and adapting their football structures, Nigeria has failed to make comparable progress.

“People are trying to grow, people are innovating, people are bringing new dimensions, doing everything to change their football system, but in our own case, we are just stagnant,” he added.

Corroborating what the former international said, coach Yemi Olanrewaju blamed the Nigeria’s domestic football structure, poor infrastructure, lack of strategic preparation, and widening financial gaps compared to what obtains in North African and some West and South African heavyweights as responsible for the dismal performances of Nigerian clubs against their counterparts from those countries.

Olanrewaju who is Rivers United assistant coach and former coach of Enyimba Football Club of Aba noted that he had previously warned about the structural and financial gaps between Nigerian clubs and North African powerhouses, only to be dismissed as making excuses. He also pointed out that budget sizes, training facilities, and operational standards in Nigeria lagged far behind continental competitors.

This has resulted in a recurring psychological and tactical vulnerability where Nigerian teams consistently squander first-leg advantages or concede decisive late goals in North Africa (mirroring historical collapses like Rangers’ 1976 defeat to MC Alger).

This has raised serious concerns over how these back-to-back early exits will damage Nigeria’s CAF coefficient and league standing.

Points are only earned once a team reaches the Group Stage or further. Teams knocked out in the preliminary or early qualifying rounds (like the Nigerian clubs this season) receive 0 points.

To reward recent consistency over historical performance, CAF multiplies the points earned in a season by a coefficient based on how recent the tournament

To find a country’s total ranking score, CAF adds together the weighted points of every club from that country over the 5-year cycle.

The top 12 countries in the final standings are granted the maximum 4 slots (2 in the Champions League, 2 in the Confederation Cup). Associations ranked 13th and below only get 2 slots total (1 in each tournament). This is why early exits severely damage a country’s long-term football advantages.

Ranking threat: Nigeria’s 12th-place spot (19 points) in the CAF inter-club association rankings is under immediate threat from Libya (13th with 15 points), whose remaining side (Al Ahli Tripoli) is still active in the Confederation Cup.

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara,  on Saturday declared open the 2026 Port Harcourt Amateur Open Golf Championship during which he renewed  his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of Rivers people.

Governor Fubara, who was  represented by his Chief of Staff, Barr. Sunny Ewule, at  the ceremonial Tee -off to kickstart the tournament, said the event holding in Port Harcourt, is a clear indication  that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business.

  “This championship bringing over two hundred and fifty golfers from across Nigeria to Port Harcourt is a testament to the fact that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business. You have demonstrated that sports is a powerful tool for social cohesion and for projecting the positive nature of our State,” he said.

The  Rivers State Government, the Governor stated, identifies with the championship and will continue to support initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of the  people.

Governor Fubara described golf as more than a sport, emphasising that it teaches patience, discipline, focus and integrity. According to him,  these  values were  in line with his administration’s commitment to peace, unity and healthy living for all the  people of Rivers State.

He commended the Local  Organizing Committee for their  hard work in putting the event together. He also  commended the Port Harcourt Club Golf Section for sustaining the historic Club since 1928, while wishing all golfers participating in the championship an injury-free and worthy tournament.

The  President of  the Port Harcourt Club, Barr. Victor Omubo Frank-Briggs, expressed appreciation to the Governor  honouring  their invitation, noting that with the  government’s presence  the  golfers  have been energised and inspired to do their best in the championship

MFM, First Bank eye AWBL finals in Liberia (5)

Nigerian clubs MFM Basketball Club and First Bank Basketball Club will battle for places in the African Women’s Basketball League finals when they compete in the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia, from November 2 to 9.

The six-team competition will take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Indoor Gymnasium in Paynesville, with the top two teams earning qualification for the continental finals in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled for December 11 to 19.

MFM and First Bank will be seeking to carry their domestic form into the qualifiers after meeting in the final of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, where MFM claimed a narrow 66-64 victory.

The result underlined the close rivalry between the Nigerian sides, who will now look to establish themselves against opponents from across the region and secure their places in Cairo.

Defending FIBA Africa Zone 3 champions Friends of Basketball Association of Côte d’Ivoire will also compete, alongside Benin Republic’s Energie Basketball Club of Cotonou.

Hosts Liberia will be represented by Flames Basketball Club, the domestic league runners-up, and reigning national champions D’Rockers Basketball Club.

The Nigerian clubs secured their places in the qualifiers after FIBA Africa and the Liberia Basketball Association extended the registration deadline and adjusted the competition schedule following the late conclusion of their domestic league campaign. The intervention was facilitated by FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retd.).

Preparations for the tournament are also gathering momentum, with Flames president and Liberia Basketball Association Secretary-General Calvin Diggs saying the organisers are working to deliver a successful competition.

FIBA Africa Zone 3 Secretary Joe Apu also expressed confidence in Liberia’s readiness, citing the experience of the country’s basketball community in hosting international events.

With six teams competing for just two qualification places, MFM and First Bank will face a demanding test as they seek to progress to the continental finals in Egypt.

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze is expected to spend at least two months on the sidelines with a hip injury, ruling him out of AC Milan’s upcoming fixtures, including the derby against Inter Milan.

According to Italian sources, the 27-year-old has consulted a specialist over a problem with his left hip and commenced treatment with injections.

Chukwueze will undergo another assessment in 10 to 15 days, but he is not expected to return before the end of the year, dealing a blow to Nigeria and Milan’s options on the right flank.

The Nigerian reportedly experienced discomfort in his hip after Milan’s Serie A fixture against Atalanta and missed training ahead of last Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash with Bournemouth, which the Italian side lost 3-0.

Chukwueze has made eight appearances across all competitions this season, providing two assists since returning to Milan following a loan spell at Premier League club Fulham.

His absence adds to Milan’s injury concerns, with defender Matteo Gabbia and winger Alexis Saelemaekers also sidelined by long-term injuries.

The Rossoneri are reportedly considering recalling Zachary Athekame from his loan spell at Lyon to provide additional cover during Chukwueze’s recovery.

Milan, who remain unbeaten in Serie A this season, face Udinese on Sunday before taking on Inter in the derby on October 31.

There is better news for the Italian side regarding striker Gonçalo Ramos, who has returned to full training after missing the Bournemouth defeat with fatigue in his left calf.

A scan revealed no muscle damage, making the Portuguese forward available for Sunday’s trip to Udinese.