The Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) plays an important role in Nigerian football development. Under the rain and sun, the body has undoubtedly contributed significantly to the development of football in the country.
These fans will risk their lives while travelling along the roads to cheer on national teams across the country to victory; they travel by road to support the teams, particularly the Super Eagles and Super Falcons. The risks that supporters face on the roads cannot be overstated. Most of the time, their bus broke down, including at night. Those who could not use the NFSC bus would take public transport to any of the country’s stadiums hosting the match. This is the pinnacle of patriotism that the NFSC owes the country forever!
Reverend (Dr) Sam Ikpea is now the chairman of the Nigerian Football Supporters’ Club. During Dr. Rafiu Ladipo’s tenure as Chairman of the NSFC, GLO Communications donated a branded coastal bus, which I believe is still in use today. Every country in the world where supporters clubs are valued has facilities such as vehicles, bands, trumpets, talking drums, cymbals, vuvuzelas for rendering motivating songs, and branded jerseys or uniform kits for supporters to wear on match days in support of their respective countries. The clubs’ administrative bodies also receive yearly subventions to run the outfits, making it easier for the clubs to function properly at various times when there are engagements, whether in the country or abroad.
EXPOSED!! POPULAR ABUJA DOCTOR REVEALED HIDDEN SECRET ON HOW MEN CAN NATURALLY AND PERMANENTLY CURE POOR ERECTION,QUICK EJACULATION, SMALL AND SHAMEFUL MANHOOD WITHOUT SIDE EFFECTS. EVEN IF YOU ARE HYPERTENSIVE OR DIABETIC ..STOP THE USE OF HARD DRUG FOR SEX!! IT KILLS!
The decision by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Sports Ministry, and the Nigerian Sports Council (NSC) to prioritise other interests over supporting the Football Supporters Club is detrimental to the country’s football development. Happy supporters are more motivated to perform well on the pitch.
The Abuja Glasshouse should prioritise hiring competent coaches for national teams, whether local or foreign, to create formidable squads that represent the country proudly in friendly, competitive, and tournament matches.
So, with a tattered national team, an incompetent coach, and an underequipped Supporters’ Club, it is impossible to expect the best on the pitch. From the early 1970s to the early 1990s, Nigerian football was interesting, scintillating, admirable, and all-conquering, with a brilliant NFSC playing interesting tunes and the Super Eagles playing to their rhythm on the pitch, much to the admiration of football enthusiasts, fans, supporters, and stakeholders.
Advertisement
Furthermore, the age-graded teams performed better with laurels. During that time, the U-16 team, Golden Eaglets, won their first championship in China in 1985, led by Captain Nduka Upgrade and Coach Sebastine Brodericks (Sebara), a fantastic Indigenous coach!
The same was true for the Super Falcons, who dominated the African continent with their indomitable style of play under Paul Hamilton (Wonder Boy), winning the inaugural African Women’s Nations Championship and maintaining their African dominance.
The African tournament was once said to be Nigeria’s birthright. Even on the global stage, they were outstanding at the FIFA Women’s Mundial in the United States in 1999, where Coach Ismaila Mabo led the women to the World Cup’s first quarterfinals, where they were defeated by the German Women’s Machines. Until recently, it is been something else, as the game has lost steam on the continent and globally! It should also be noted that Coach Mabo led the Nigerian women to the Olympics twice before retiring. No coach can give what they do not have. As a result, Coach Mabo was one of the best in the land before his death. May his soul continue to rest in complete peace!
The NFSC is inextricably linked to the success of national teams. The Supporters’ Club, particularly the Super Eagles, cannot function in isolation; thus, the football federation must always remember the Supporters by providing them with all of the necessary music equipment, clothing, and financial resources. To make Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club one of the best in Africa and the world, the federation, Sports Ministry, and Nigerian Sports Council (NSC) should collaborate to ensure team success. The Supporters’ Club also contributes in various ways to intimidating opponents, demonstrating how dynamic the body is! Having said that, it will be necessary to assist the NFSC because it will give her and the teams a significant advantage in competitions!
However, if the country has a rag-tag Supporters’ Club, you will always notice the difference between the opposing team, which has emerged as colourful, radiant, and subdued brilliance. This cannot be taken away from supporter clubs around the world. It boosts the team’s confidence, commitment, and determination to win, regardless of where the duel is taking place. In light of this, the NFF must urgently find a suitable coach for the Eagles and equip the NFSC so that our style of football and support can be rekindled for Nigeria’s glory. Good morning, Nigeria! Thank God for an infinite universe!