Makinwa Blames Economic Hardship, Corruption for Nigerian Clubs’ Early Exit in Africa

Former Sunshine Stars coach, Henry Makinwa, has blamed economic hardship, poor management and corruption for the early elimination of Nigerian clubs from this season’s African competitions.

Nigerian representatives Rivers United and Shooting Stars were recently knocked out of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup respectively, raising fresh concerns about the competitiveness of clubs from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on the continent.

Makinwa argued that poor salaries have weakened Nigerian clubs by pushing some of the league’s top players to seek better opportunities in neighbouring African countries, Europe and Asia.

According to the former coach, the steady movement of quality players abroad leaves domestic clubs with fewer experienced and established players capable of competing at the highest continental level.

“The many reasons Nigerian clubs crashed out of African Champions League earlier are economic factor: poor salaries and good players emigrate to nearby countries/ Europe/Asia,” Makinwa wrote on X.

He also identified what he described as corruption in player recruitment as another major problem affecting the quality of Nigerian clubs.

“Corruptions on players recruitment, poor technical/tactical preparations,” he added.

Makinwa believes the problems extend beyond individual clubs and require broader changes in the way Nigerian football is administered and managed.

He called for more professional management of the game, arguing that better structures, improved player welfare and stronger technical preparation are necessary if Nigerian clubs are to regain competitiveness in African club competitions.