AFL: Sports fans disappointed as Enyimba International FC fall in Morocco

Football fans in Lagos expressed disappointment on Friday over the level of football in Nigeria, especially the inability for our clubs to be forced to reckon with at the intercontinental competitions.

They told the newsmen in separate interviews that the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is not looking like one that had the professional touch that was the purpose of its creation.

They said this against the backdrop of Enyimba FC International Club falling 4-0 in their two-legged quarterfinal encounter with Wydad FC of Morocco at the ongoing Africa Football League.

Emeka Mbanefo, a sports analyst, said that he was disappointed by the results and did not expect Enyimba International FC to turn things around after losing 1-0 at home in their first leg.

He said that the quality of their football could not be compared to clubs in the North Africa, largely because of the poor organisation of the league.

“Our home league cannot be compared to that in the North Africa, we are still miles behind them, imagine Enyimba cannot even boast of a credible stadium.

“They can’t even boast of a proper youth academy that trains and can transform young players to future champions, a place where a club can have a pool of future footballers.

“When you also consider the standard of our officiating which is very poor, you will agree with me that our league is still behind,” Mbanefo said.

Adekunle Keshinro, a sports enthusiast, said in an assessment that “whoever believed Enyimba could pick a result in Morocco isn’t objective.

“The club can’t win at home and intends to get a result in Morocco of all places; our teams are not patriotic anymore, and the kind of attention and concentration they give is very shallow.

“This was the same team that made us proud in 2003 and 2004, claiming the championship trophy back-to-back and displaying a beautiful brand of football.

“Of course, back then, they had the huge backing of the former governor of the state, Orji Uzor Kalu, which played a major role in their success,Keshinro said.

Femi Aderibigbe, a passionate football fan, said that it was an uphill task for The Peoples Elephant, as they were fondly called to change the outcome of results.

According to Aderibigbe, it calls for serious sober reflections, and a lot needs to change in order to make adequate developmental policies that can effectively produce results.

He added that the poor outing by Enyimba spoke volumes about how the North African teams have been dominating the NPFL teams.

“If a team from Tanzania can play 3-3 with Al-Haly FC of Egypt, why are our teams shambolic in the hands of North African teams?Aderibigbe said.