As the clock ticks down to the kick-off time for the final match of the 34^th Africa Cup of Nations at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium

In Ebimpe area of Abidjan, the President General of the Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo has called on governments in Nigeria to consider the sacrifices made by members of the organised fan clubs.

He pleads that for assistance and appreciation of hundreds of  members of his club  who are presently in Cote d’Ivoire supporting the Super Eagles.

Ladipo lamented that despite members of the club using their hard earned money to transport themselves to Cote d’Ivoire, pay their hotel bills, transport themselves to match venues and take care of other expenses, both the federal and state governments are not doing anything to support the fans for their patriotic gestures.

” It’s an irony that both the federal and state governments have not deemed it necessary to support these patriotic Nigerians who have risked their lives and hard earned resources to project the image of the country.

” At the beginning of the championship, 24 countries started the competition and all their Supporters Clubs were sponsored by their governments and even given allowances to make their stay in Cote d’Ivoire comfortable.

” Right now, there are four countries remaining and it’s only Nigeria that has not deemed it fit to give financial support to it’s Supporters Club who have been drumming support for the Eagles, which is not encouraging”, he lamented.

He noted that it’s not easy doing the voluntary work which is helping in projecting good image for the country just as he appealed to both Federal and State governments to do something urgent and give financial support to the club before Sunday’s final of the Nations Cup.