CAF Confederation Cup
SYLVANUS OKPALA IS THE OXYGEN FOR RANGERS’ SURVIVAL, SAYS EX-INTERNATIONAL, KINGSLEY ONYE
Former Nigeria international, Kingsley Onye believes that Enugu Rangers can only escape from their current precarious situation if the team engages Sylvanus Okpala as the coach.
The club which was one of the old existing teams in Nigeria and previously the stronghold in the country has become a struggling side both in the domestic league and the second-tier continental competition, the CAF Champions League.
At the weekend, the club that is struggling at the bottom rungs of the Nigerian league only managed a goalless draw on the continent to earn its first point out of obtainable nine against continental debutants, Nouadhibou of Mauritania.
Kingsley Onye has called for a concerted effort to salvage the once dreaded Nigerian football club.
According to ThisDay newspaper, Kingsley Onye, a former dependable defender of the club and a major actor in Nigeria’s Flying Eagles’ third-place in 1985 U-20 World Cup said the revival of the club is hinged mainly on getting a technically sound coach for the club.
In a telephone discussion from his base in the UK, he remarked that no other person fit into that position at the moment more than Sylvanus Okpala, a former Nigerian international and one of the earliest skippers of the Flying Eagles in the 1980s.
Fondly, called ‘Quicksilver’ by the late inimitable Nigerian sports commentator, Ernest Okonkwo, Okpala played his professional football in Portugal and was a star player in the Super Eagles in the 1980s.
He assisted Stephen Keshi, as a coach in the Africa Cup of Nations winning side of 2013 before he was sidelined.
Onye said he had spoken with many of his former colleagues in Rangers and the most recurring name was that of Okpala.
He appeals to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to help in ensuring that Okpala is given the reins in Rangers and that the club needed a coach that will manage the club for at least three years for the club to have stability and regain its esteem both in Nigeria and in the continent.
He agreed that Okpala may have issues with his temperament, but pointed out that the situation could be managed.
Onye said that age and maturity have combined to make Okpala the tools on anger management. He pointed out the remarkable match reading ability of Okpala and the fact that as a footballer, he fitted into virtually every position apart from that of goalkeeping.
CAF Confederation Cup
Enyimba drawn against Etoile de Filante in Confederation Cup
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ENYIMBA.jpg)
Nigeria’s sole survivors in the CAF Confederation Cup,Enyimba will face Burkina Faso sides, Etoile de Filante in the second round of the competition.
Enyimba drew bye in the preliminary round while the Burkina Faso team reached the second round after eliminating Hafia of Guinea.
Enyimba, second runners-up in the Nigerian League will be attempting to win the Confederation Cup for the first time for Nigeria as they did in the Champions League 21 years ago.
CAF Confederation Cup
Again, Benin overcomes Nigeria as El Kanemi crashes out of Confederation Cup
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/el-kanemi-v-Dadje.png)
Just two months after Benin Republic recorded their first ever defeat of the Nigerian national football team, Super Eagles, a Benin club, Dadje has knocked out one of Nigeria’s representatives from the CAF Confederation Cup – El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.
Dadje won 2-1 to get a 3-2 aggregate win after the first leg played last week ended 1-1.
CAF Confederation Cup
Benin Republic offers 8,000 free tickets to boost support for Dadje FC over El Kanemi
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/el-kanemi-v-Dadje.png)
One of Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, El Kanemi Warriors have a mountain to climb as they face Dadje FC this evening at the General Mathieu Kerekou Stadium in Cotonou.
Their hosts, Dadje FC carry a slight advantage into the match after obtaining a 1-1 draw last weekend in Ikenne.
A goalless draw is enough for them to sail into the second round. But not leaving anything to chances,massive home support is being planned for them as the Benin FA offered 8,000 free tickets to fans.
Dadjè FC, the Benin league runners-up escaped with a precious 1-1 draw against the El Kanemi Warriors of Nigeria.
Thanks to added time, it would have been a different story for El Kanemi who only achieved parity in the sixth minute of added time.
They had conceded a goal earlier when Salassi Bless put the Beninese ahead. El Kanemi will have to score and win this evening if they are to join Enyimba in the second round.
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