By: Babatunde Tiamiyu
National President, Football Fans Club of Nigeria, FFCN, Ambassador Oluwakemi Ogunfuwa has appealed to all national team players to Always take a cue from former Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire striker, Didier Drogba and render financial assistance to Supporters Clubs at every tournament.
The CAF Award winning Matriarch stated while featuring on an online weekly interview.
Reacting to some of the questions, the former Member of Lagos State Women’s Football committee pointed out that lack of sponsorship is the bane in honouring all matches as observed in AWCON qualifying match between Super Falcons against Cape Verde held in MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
Mama Nigeria as Ogunfuwa fondly called lamented that nobody cares to reach out to them like other climes. This is the reason why they select matches to go and focus on Super Eagles and Falcons matches.
In her words, “We always like to support all national teams but a times we may not have financial wherewithal to mobilize members to all venues.
“Without any support from either multi nationals, NFF or well-meaning Nigerians, it would be difficult to attend all matches and give necessary support to all national teams. I think everyone should understand the present economic situation in the country, the fuelling, the band guys, the costume and other logistics gulp us a lot of money. Save to say that without anyone aiding us, it will take us much financial stress to attend all venues. This is why we select the match to attend”. Ogunfuwa explained.
“Some of these national teams’ players might not know but they don’t reach out to us except clapping. They only end up saying supporters’ clubs should come together. The question is when we were together, did any of them give us a dime?
Take for instance, Didier Drogba singlehandedly hired aeroplane to mobilize supporters’ clubs from Cote d’Ivoire to Egypt (Alexandra) during 2006 AFCON with his personal money. I was there and I saluted his legendary deeds to his country. Here nobody, living or dead ever emulated this in Nigeria. They should also consider us in this situation”
“Nobody among Super Eagles ever emulate the Ivorian but only hides under that we should come together. Some of them usually say Supporters Club are playing differently, the question is when we were one, did they assist us?
Have they ever called all the Presidents and declined? No. Anyway, they might not know but they should put heads together and reach out to us as a team or individuals “. The Lagos State business tycoon concluded
