When I asked rhetorically last week if we should withdraw from all continental championship until such a time when we will put all the needed structures on ground to enable us compete with other African countries. 

Many responded to my question, with their divergence views. Some of them I will reproduce here on our "Right To Respond Segment". 

Events of the three matches played by the our various representatives in the continent last weekend, left much to desire. One is forced to asked "if it is the barber that is lacking the required skills, or, the clippers that are faulty". 

It started with Rangers who is the League champion. They started by defeating Zilimadjou of Comoros by a lone goal at away. The win was in Uyo the adopted home of the Comoros team, same as Rangers. The reversed fixtures on the same pitch, left Box 18 wondering on the technical abilities of our Coaches. The Comoros Coach was able to decode all that Rangers had, and held them to a 1-1 draw. Rangers managed to qualify on an away win result. 

Elkanemi Warriors after struggling to win the Federation Cup also found themselves playing at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. They struggled to force Dadje of Benin Republic to a one all draw. The reverse fixtures in Cotonou saw them losing on two goals to one scoreline. The aggregate score was three goals to two. 

Remo Stars were very sure of progressing to the second round of the Champions League after the military team from Morocco, AS FAR went down by two goals to one in Ikenne. As expected, Remo could not hold in  Rabat , as their defensive strategy failed them when it mattered most. They conceeded a school boy penalty that sent them out of the tournament. 

We now have only Rangers in the Champions league and Enyimba in the Confederation Cup. May God help them. 

As the poor runs of Nigerian clubs'  in continental championship continues, one is tempted to attributed it to several factors among which are:

The lack of investment in club football leading to poor infrastructure, training facilities, and player welfare. Disorganized and unstable league calendars, which no doubt affects the teams preparation and performance in the continent. Our youth players development are Inadequate or does not exist. Everything about this is haphazardly done, and proper scouting systems does not exist. Our coaches lack the prerequisite knowledge to prepare teams for continental competitions.

It is very evident that the country's talented players  are not in the local league. Many of them are seeking opportunities abroad, thereby depleting the local teams. Logistical challenges are very paramount while playing in Africa. There is always the difficulties associated with travel, accommodation, and security during away matches.There are no longer minnows in these countries, as every other African countries are developing stronger teams and leagues thereby making the competition fierce. Our coaches should understand the tactical approach to playing in the continent. It took us almost 40 years to win the African Champions League, in 2003, it is now 20 years that we won it last, maybe we should wait for another two decade to win again. We are watching and waiting.

RIGHT TO REPLY* 

Good afternoon my Coach, I decided to private chat you on your submission that Nigeria should pull out of International Sports scene for now.

 I want to support your view with the following points.

Firstly, I want to say that this suggestion should encompass all sports, not just Football.

This may assist us to identify ( though, some of us know) where the problems lie.

If you listen to the video chat of Austin Okocha you will understand the issues enslaving our global Sports performances.

Let's take our Football as a case study.
It's not a gainsaying that Football players are no more camping but only attending 'practice sessions', few weeks to games schedules.

If you have a minded flashback, you will remember that players invitation to National Camps were strictly based on merits and patriotic commitment; not minding the Club you came from, whether you are home based or foreign.

Players spent more time in National Camps for a period of, at least, 4 to 6 months and screening exercises were conducted within the Country before the Selected players are exposed to foreign training. This is in order to perfect skills, team play and blending.

The players that finally made the squad won the trophy for the country. The only player that could be tagged as foreign in the team that won the 1980 AFCON was Godwin Odiye, who came from his School in US then.

This same feat was achieved in 1994 through the team spirit, commitment, discipline, compatriot dedication of that set.

Nowadays, it's man knows man, how our journalists could blow some players who they have seen played one or two matches successfully in their foreign Clubs; not putting the philosophy and culture of our own pattern of play in mind before pushing them into the National team; and the personal  interest of our Football Lords are paramount. 
Interestingly, because they are termed 'Professionals', they would be invited for 'training sessions few days to the scheduled international qualifiers.
While most African Countries still believe in their home based players and would put them in Camp for some months before exposing them to competitions. And if you look at their teams curiously, only 24 of players are always named for their qualification matches.
If you have a critical look at our last qualifiers, you could imagine different sets of players we featured.
Most times, when you suggest to them that this is not too neat, they would ask you what has been his football playing experience or which team (Club) has he handled before?'.

The National Football Coaches is seriously ridiculed, because of some Coaches that are always looking for favours from them. This is unlike the days of Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, Late Baba Kaahimawo Laloko, Late Coach Shuaibu Amodu and others. These new generation coaches cringed for National team jobs at the expense of other good Coaches within the country. That's why they disgrace them by giving them assignments that ridicule them in the regional competitions. They bring them to handle teams when the competitions are just few weeks away .

At the last Olympics, I wept when Tobi Amusan could not qualify in her 100m  athletic huddles event. She came third embarrassingly. And the other girl, Ofili, missing her 100m sprint qualification because of the negligence of our Athletic Officials.

Sir, I quite agree with you that we should pull out for now to address issues from our Sports Ministry to the Sports Associations.

Thank you.

Dr. Abiodun Salami
Former University of Ibadan Director of Sports and First Vice President, Nigeria Football Coaches Association