Yemi Olanrewaju Critiques Nigerian Clubs' CAF Competitiveness

Yemi ‘Yema’ Olanrewaju, the assistant coach of Enugu Rangers, expressed concerns regarding the ability of Nigerian clubs to compete at the continental level following Rangers' elimination from the CAF Champions League. Rangers lost 3-0 to MC Alger in the second leg of their second preliminary round tie on October 25, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate defeat after they had won the first leg 2-0.

This loss leaves Nigeria without any clubs in the group stage of the competition, as Rivers United was eliminated in the first preliminary round. Olanrewaju noted that Rangers had led the tie until the second half when Chahreddine Boukholda scored in the 58th minute.

Although Rangers' goalkeeper saved a penalty from Mohamed Bangoura in the 70th minute, Bangoura equalized the aggregate score six minutes from time, and Soufiane Bayazid scored in stoppage time to complete the turnaround. Olanrewaju, a former coach of Enyimba, stated on social media that Nigerian clubs do not have the budgets and facilities to compete with many African clubs.