Nigerian Teams’ Absence From CAF Top 10 Rankings Raises Concerns
By Paul Michael
The latest CAF rankings for the last five years have been released, and the results are a stark reminder of the decline of Nigerian football on the continental stage. The rankings, which take into account the performances of teams in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup group stage games, do not feature a single Nigerian team in the top 10.
The top spot is occupied by Egyptian giants Al Ahly, who have accumulated an impressive 73 points. Esperance Sportive de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Zamalek SC follow closely, with 57, 52, and 42 points, respectively.
The absence of Nigerian teams from the top 10 rankings is a worrying trend that highlights the struggles of the country’s clubs in continental competitions. Despite having a rich football history and a passionate fan base, Nigerian teams have failed to make an impact on the CAF scene in recent years.
The question on everyone’s mind is: what’s going wrong? Is it a lack of investment in the domestic league? Poor coaching? Inadequate infrastructure? Whatever the reason, it’s clear that something needs to change if Nigerian teams are to regain their place among the continent’s elite.
As the Nigerian football community ponders the way forward, fans can’t help but feel a sense of disappointment and frustration. With the likes of Enyimba, Kano Pillars, and Rangers International having made significant contributions to Nigerian football in the past, it’s hard to understand why the country’s teams are struggling so much on the continental stage.
One thing is certain, however: Nigerian football needs a wake-up call. It’s time for the country’s football stakeholders to come together and develop a comprehensive plan to revive the fortunes of Nigerian teams in continental competitions.
Until then, Nigerian football fans will have to continue watching from the sidelines as other countries dominate the CAF rankings.
