Speaking at an emotionally charged press conference in Surulere, Lagos, on December 31, 2025, NFSC President General, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, painted a picture of a national team battling for continental glory in near silence, devoid of the vibrant backing he claims is crucial for success.
“The Super Eagles have no proper supporting club to cheer them in Morocco to lift their game spirit,” Dr. Ladipo declared. He highlighted the stark contrast with the NFSC’s historical role, stating, “I was in Cote d’Ivoire to inaugurate a chapter when nobody gave the Super Eagles a chance, we supported them. 32 years ago, we took the courage to launch the supporters club, we spent our money to support the National team. The glories of Nigerian football cannot be talked about without the Nigerian Football Supporters Club.”
Dr. Ladipo passionately argued that the NFSC’s organized presence, characterized by “great music rendition and great support,” had been instrumental in Nigeria’s past victories. He recounted the club’s 70-year history alongside the national team and its receipt of the “best supporters club award” as evidence of its effectiveness.
Accusations of Destabilization and Disunity
The NFSC leader launched a direct attack on the former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, accusing him of deliberately undermining the supporters club. “He further accused the former NFF president Amaju Pinnick of destabilizing the supporters which contributed to the death of football in Nigeria,” the statement read, implying a direct link between the club’s diminished role and the national team’s struggles.
Dr. Ladipo emphasized the psychological impact of fan support: “The footballer can be good but they need the support of the supporters club as it boosts the morale of the players.” He claimed the current situation in Morocco was unprecedented and embarrassing: “He told a tale of how Amaju disunited the supporters club… the Nigerian team has made history of being the only team in Morocco without a supporters club. He said that the NFF [is doing] a disservice to Nigerian football.”
Call for Presidential Intervention
Expressing deep personal disturbance over the situation, Dr. Ladipo stated the press conference was necessary to “raise the alarm.” He categorically stated that the “NFF do not have the capacity to run the supporters club.”
His solution was a direct appeal to the highest level of government: “He therefore called [on] President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene as the supporters club cannot continue with the current arrangement of NFF with supporters club. He appealed to the president to tell the NFF to hands off supporters club.”
Hope Amidst Disappointment
Despite his profound disappointment with the NFF and the “current state of Nigerian football,” Dr. Ladipo concluded by reaffirming his support for the team on the pitch: “I pray that Super Eagles get to the final and take the trophy and I will continue to pray for them.”
The NFSC’s outcry highlights a significant rift between the nation’s most prominent organized fan group and the football governing body, raising questions about fan engagement and its perceived impact on the Super Eagles’ performance at AFCON 2025 as the tournament progresses.
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