Bolaji Sakin, Junior Ajayi move closer to CAF continental titles
Former Rivers United ace and Horoya forward Bolaji Sakin and compatriot Junior Ajayi are moving closer to clinching CAF continental titles despite the ouster of Nigerian teams in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively.
Bolaji on Sunday contributed to the 2-0 defeat and eventual sacking of Enyimba from the CAF Confederation Cup just as Junior Ajayi contributed in no small measure as Egyptian giants Al Ahly zoomed into the semifinals of the CAF Champions league in quest for their 9th title.
Sakin will however need to overcome the challenge of Pyramids of Egypt in a two legged battle to embrace the finals of the Confederation Cup while Ajayi will equally pray to overcome the challenge of Morocan side Wydad Casablanca in another two legged affair to hit the finals of the Champions league.
Both Nigerians judging from their performances so far appear bent on making it all the way. The first leg of the semifinals of the Confederation cup will take place on May 2nd while the second leg is scheduled for May 9th.
In the CAF Champions league, the first leg of the semifinals is scheduled for April 30th with the second leg billed for May 7th.
Dolphins of Port Harcourt are the only Nigerian team to have made it to the finals of the CAF Confederation cup in the last 16 years. The team then had beaten
FAR Rabat of Morocco by a lone goal at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt in the first leg before losing 3-0 in the return leg decided at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat in front of 52,000 spectators.
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Some sports fans who spoke to Sportinglife.ng over the weekend following the ouster of Enyimba said though the two time Champions league winners tried their best, there is need for Nigerian teams to take the Continental championships more seriously, noting that their preparations sometimes fall below par leading to poor performance.