Due to the on-going crisis engulfing the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly nurturing plans to sponsor 100 Nigerians to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Supporters Club is divided into two factions with Rev. Samuel Ikpea and Vincent Okumagba laying claims to the leadership of the body.
The Ikpea faction is backed by a majority of the members, including Rafiu Ladipo, who is the president general of the body, while Okumagba is supported by the younger elements, who want change in leadership from Ladipo’s over 20 years of controlling the body.
Due to the crisis, there were no supporters in Ndola to cheer the Super Eagles against Zambia in the opening game of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
The Ikpea-led faction arrived in Cameroun by road on match day when the Indomitable Lions hosted the Super Eagles in Yaoundé.
Speaking on Classic FM programme on Sunday, Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, disclosed that the football federation was mindful of the situation with the supporters club, which is a private body, hence the plans to ensure that the crisis did not affect the Eagles in Russia.
Ibitoye also confirmed to The Guardian that “the details of the fans engagement programme will be unveiled by the NFF in the next few days…. the NFF and its sponsors want to take 100 fans to Russia.”
