Ogunmodede: Nigerian Clubs Need 5–10 Years to Reach Club World Cup Level
Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede has emphasised that Nigerian clubs will need at least five to ten years of sustained improvement before they can realistically compete at the level of the FIFA Club World Cup. Drawing on the historic success of Enyimba in the early 2000s, Ogunmodede acknowledged that that era should not be mistaken for the current norm.
He highlighted several systemic weaknesses, including poor player welfare, inadequate funding, and substandard infrastructure factors that hamper competitiveness against clubs like Al Ahly, Zamalek, or South African sides with significantly higher budgets. As examples, he contrasted average domestic salaries of ₦500,000 per month with the $10,000–$15,000 earned in North African leagues.
Recent CAF campaigns underline the issue: in the past six seasons, no Nigerian side has reached the knockout stage of the Champions League, and most have exited the Confederation Cup after the group phase. Brown Ideye also weighed in, labelling NPFL operations—including travel logistics and hotel standards as "getting worse" and pleaded for urgent reform.
Ogunmodede maintained optimism, though, pledging that Remo Stars will uphold Nigeria’s pride in continental competitions. But he reinforced a sobering reality closing the gap to club-world-class football demands realistic timelines, strategic planning, and structural overhaul across the domestic game.
Editorial
We agree with Ogunmodede: Nigerian clubs are nowhere near global competitive standards. With prominent teams failing to pass preliminary CAF rounds, miracles won’t repeat themselves without systemic change. We believe one-off glory—like Enyimba’s 2003 triumph should serve as inspiration, not illusion. The domestic league needs talent retention, modern infrastructure, and financial stability if it’s to produce continental contenders.
Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede has emphasised that Nigerian clubs will need at least five to ten years of sustained improvement before they can realistically compete at the level of the FIFA Club World Cup. Drawing on the historic success of Enyimba in the early 2000s, Ogunmodede acknowledged that that era should not be mistaken for the current norm.
He highlighted several systemic weaknesses, including poor player welfare, inadequate funding, and substandard infrastructure factors that hamper competitiveness against clubs like Al Ahly, Zamalek, or South African sides with significantly higher budgets. As examples, he contrasted average domestic salaries of ₦500,000 per month with the $10,000–$15,000 earned in North African leagues.
Recent CAF campaigns underline the issue: in the past six seasons, no Nigerian side has reached the knockout stage of the Champions League, and most have exited the Confederation Cup after the group phase. Brown Ideye also weighed in, labelling NPFL operations—including travel logistics and hotel standards as "getting worse" and pleaded for urgent reform.
Ogunmodede maintained optimism, though, pledging that Remo Stars will uphold Nigeria’s pride in continental competitions. But he reinforced a sobering reality closing the gap to club-world-class football demands realistic timelines, strategic planning, and structural overhaul across the domestic game.
Editorial
We agree with Ogunmodede: Nigerian clubs are nowhere near global competitive standards. With prominent teams failing to pass preliminary CAF rounds, miracles won’t repeat themselves without systemic change. We believe one-off glory—like Enyimba’s 2003 triumph should serve as inspiration, not illusion. The domestic league needs talent retention, modern infrastructure, and financial stability if it’s to produce continental contenders.