Three Nigerian teams were in action on the continent last weekend, NPL Champions Enyimba and Remo Stars played in the CAF Champions League qualifiers while Bendel Insurance was in action in the second-tier tournament, the CAF Confederation Cup.

However, it was a disappointing outing for both Enyimba and Remo as they lost their matches – away from home – to Ahli Benghazi and Medeama SC respectively.

Bendel Insurance on the other hand performed better, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over ASO Chlef at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

Here are three talking points from those contests!

Away-game Problems

Winning away games on the continent is becoming a concern for Nigerian teams – as always – and the cases of the Champions League campaigners just proved that it is difficult for Nigerian clubs to be a force to reckon with outside of the domestic league.

Despite being favorites, Remo Stars lost to Medeama SC in Ghana and could only blame themselves for wasting a lot of chances.

Enyimba’s case was different as they played a very interesting 7-goal thriller, but eventually succumbed, losing 4-3 to Ahli Benghazi.

While both teams will be hoping to overturn the deficits – and it shouldn’t be overly difficult to do so, Bendel Insurance will be playing their CAF CC second-leg preliminary round qualifier against ASO Chlef in Algeria and with a slender 1-nil lead – that prospect instills little confidence.

Just 1-goal Difference

Despite the mixed results, all three games are still very open, and both Enyimba and Remo Stars will feel letdown if they couldn’t overturn their respective games on home soil.

For Bendel Insurance, they must make sure that they avoid any form of capitulation in Algeria because with the difference being a one goal, the pendulum can swing either way.

Another Continental Collapse?

Last year, Nigeria sent 4 teams to the continent: Rivers United, Plateau United, Remo Stars and Kwara United.

Only Rivers United reached the group stages, and it was of the CAF Confederations Cup, after they crashed out in the Champions League qualification stage.

Remo lost to AS FAR Rabat, while Kwara United lost to RS Berkane on goal difference. Plateau United was also outdone by goal difference, crashing out to Libya’s Al Akhdar.

However, thanks to Rivers’ impressive performance in the CAF Confederations Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals stage, the former champions are already guaranteed a spot in the group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup.

But as it is, there is a chance that Remo Stars and Enyimba could be sent packing if they get eliminated in the first round of qualifications, and the same fate applies to Insurance if they capitulate in Algeria.