By Ogo Clarkson
Prince Vincent Okumagba, Chairman of the Unified Supporters Club of Nigeria Caretaker Committee, praises the unified efforts of Nigerian supporters club, both at home and in the diaspora, in boosting the Super Eagles’ morale.
He commends the leadership of Rev. Sam Ikpea, Madam Kemi Popoola, and Abayomi Ogunjobi, as well as the support from Nigeria Sports Commission’s Malam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade.
“The Super Eagles players understand their supporters’ mindset: anything short of winning AFCON after missing World Cup isn’t acceptable,” Okumagba said.
“Winning 5 straight games to reach semis versus host Morocco shows they’re sorry for missing World Cup.”
Rev. Sam Ikpea, who arrived in Rabat with supporters on Monday evening, says Nigeria’s Supporters Club is unique, attracting other countries to join in.
“Support for Super Eagles won’t be a problem; we’ve made Morocco our home. Other countries are joining to support us against Morocco .”
“Nigeria will be hosting Africa continental award after the conclusion of the Afcon and we have used the avenue to relate with other countries to join support the Super Eagles .
” We mobilised fans against Tunisia and Algeria, Morocco will not be a problem”.
“This is our specialty just that the National Sports Commission, NSC and the Nigeria Football Federation,NFF, should appreciate us as the 12th player in the game”.
Nigeria versus Morocco head to head shows that both countries have squared severally ,up to six times at the Africa Cup of Nations, and the first in 22 years, with their last meeting coming in the group stage of AFCON 2004, where Morocco triumphed 1-0 thaanks to Mustapha Hadji’s goal.
Notably, all five previous AFCON encounters between these two countries have produced a winner, with Morocco edging the head to head with three wins to Nigeria’s two.
The game between Nigeria and host Morocco will kick off Wednesday at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on 14 January at 21h00 local time (20h00 GMT).
