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In this Exclusive Interview the National Chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) Rev. Samuel Ikpea who just returned from Cameroon following the Ouster of The Super Eagles of Nigeria in the ongoing AFCON spoke with Joseph Odoekwu of Sports Intelligence Magazine about the Club’s trip in Cameroon and their plans ahead of Qatar 2022 World Cup.
What was the general feeling like among club members following the ouster of the Super Eagles of Nigeria?
It was extremely painful and difficult to comprehend. Members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club walked out of the stadium quietly at the blast of the final whistle and before we got to our camp that night, it was about 11pm. Back in our camp, it was like a grave yard, and for the first time in my life, I saw mature men and women weeping for the sake of the Super Eagles, because no one saw that loss coming because they (Super Eagles) had an impressive performance at the group stage and it was difficult to believe they would lose. Some could not eat while others just remained calm until they eventually went to bed in the sad mood. It was a moment we never wished to experience but we thank God for giving us the strength to bear the loss, and that is football for you, we have to move on.
Reports reaching us confirmed that your members went to Cameroon by road and boat, why?
At times we go by road to some African nations to show support to our national teams, and that is when we do not have ample or a robust budget. and that was the case this time around. It happens once in a while and you know NFSC is a large club. We really needed to perform our own duty, that is all.
Are you saying the major reason you went by land was because of lack of funds?
Yes it was the reason. We all wished to fly, but the budget was extremely low, we had to task ourselves and also concluded that all we needed to do was to go by land, it was cheaper, economical and the only option we had.
Would NFSC consider going to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup by land?
(Laughs) Certainly not, it’s not what we have to consider, we have to rally round and source support to enable us fly our members to Qatar for the World Cup, but right now our next trip will be in Ghana for the World Cup qualifiers, that is the most important trip and that is what we are planning for, it will be coming up in March.
Would the Ghana trip be by land?
Definitely, it is going to be by land. All we need to do is to begin to plan ahead of that, and hopes that the Super Eagles qualify then we intensify our search for sponsorship and support ahead of the Qatar World Cup.
Late last year, NFSC inducted several notable individuals as Patrons and Ambassadors why did you not reach out to them for support ahead of the AFCON 2021?
Yes we did, you know it is the beginning of the year, some were able to show support, while others could not meet up. So we had to depend on what we had. But it was really sad because one of their roles is to use their position as Ambassador or Patron to connect the club to cooperate bodies to see how the club can be supported in area of finance and we also leverage on their goodwill to enable us break even in times like this. This year (2022) is a typical event year, the AFCON has come and the FIFA World Cup is ahead.
But why do you think you did not get any support from them?
Generally, we know that the economy is not good and maybe that could be it. But we had also expected that despite the tough economy, some form of support should have still come from them, but we depended totally on members support but the club has a policy and maybe that is what we will fall back on
What policy are you referring to?
Its simple, patrons and ambassadors must be active in that position, and anyone who chose to be dormant or inactive by not showing concerns to the club within a period of two year from date of their induction may be stripped off their patronship and ambassadorial role in the club. From the moment they accept these positions, they become like fathers and face of the club and by so doing, we expect them to show some concerns, particularly supporting and linking us in a typical event year like this. It does not end at them parading themselves as ambassadors or patrons of the club, they need to be involved and assist us financially and that is very important. The club website will have details of our patrons and Ambassador with their names and photographs displayed to project them to the entire public. When you active, it is indicated, and when you are dormant is also indicated and when eventually the club decides to drop you, it will be shown irrespective of whether you have the certificate or not.
What about corporate sponsorship?
We have been approached two banks and an international company in Qatar are discussing with us, but like I told you earlier, their responses shall be largely determined by the qualification of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, and that was why I said the Ghana trip has to come first before any other thing. Once we secure a Qatar world cup ticket, we then intensify our quest for corporate sponsorship. A lot of corporate organizations will want to have their brands fly in Qatar through the NFSC regalia, as well as have it their brands displayed at our Secretariat which is at a strategic place in Lagos, our website and other social media are also not left out and that is why we are praying for the Super Eagles qualify, so that some of these organizations can give our proposals positive consideration.
Finally, what are you people doing now?
We are planning for our trip and also praying that the Super Eagles will pick one of the five berths available for Africa in the Qatar FIFA World Cup.
Thank you for your time
You are welcome
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