The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has said that Kano Pillars and Rivers United lack “steel”.

Pinnick said this ahead of their preparation for the second legs of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round this weekend.

Rivers lost 2-1 to Futuro Kings in Equatorial Guinea while Kano fell 3-1 to ASC Jaraaf in Senegal.

“Our clubs should be made of sterner stuff,” Pinnick told the Nigerian media.

“I am at a loss to understand how Pillars can take the lead in Senegal only to collapse and lose 3-1 against Jaraaf.

“I am so disappointed with Kano and Rivers. I expected much greater spirit and steel from these clubs when they represent Nigeria in Africa.

“My challenge to both teams is to win convincingly at home and qualify for the next round of the Confederation Cup.”

Rivers need a 1-0 win in Port Harcourt to see them through to the next round due to the away goal they scored in Equatorial Guinea.

Coach Stanley Eguma stated that his side’s performance in the game was marred by poor finishing.

He said, “There was no lack of effort from the boys, but the finishing was awful. We should have been three of four goals ahead by half-time instead of drawing.

“We must rectify this problem in the second leg, otherwise we will struggle to make the next qualifying round.”