Nigeria Football Federation president Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has commended Rivers United, Plateau United and Kwara United for winning the first legs of their continental ties but has challenged them to advance into the group stages of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup respectively.
The three Nigerian representatives claimed first-leg home victories over notoriously difficult North African opponents yesterday and are set for tough games in the return fixtures in Morocco and Tunisia.
All three clubs came from behind to win their matches, with CAF Confederation Cup contenders Kwara United beating holders RS Berkane of Morocco 3-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.
In the CAF Champions League, Rivers United and Plateau United defeated defending champions Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and former champions Esperance of Tunisia 2-1 in Port Harcourt and Abuja respectively.
“Our teams have done well in the first leg matches, but I want them to go all out in the return games because North African playgrounds are usually difficult ones for most teams,” Gusau said after watching the Plateau United contest at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
“They showed the Nigerian spirit in an excellent away to come from behind and win their matches at home, but they will need to show this spirit in even more pronounced manner in the second leg matches.
“The NFF is backing all three teams to reach the lucrative group stages of their competitions.”
Gusau, who won the NFF elections in Benin City on September 30, was in the stands with Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong and sports minister Sunday Dare.
