Nigerians In South Africa Want Sponsorship

The
Nigerian community in South Africa has urged wealthy Nigerians to sponsor Super
Eagles’ fans to watch the team’s matches at the ongoing 2013 Africa Cup of
Nations (AFCON).

According to the body, such
well-to-do Nigerians should emulate an Ethiopian billionaire, Mohammed
Al-Amoudi, by providing support to enable their compatriots to watch the
matches.

Some of the Nigerians spoke to
newsmen in South Africa on Wednesday.

They complained of lack of
support, particularly in transportation and tickets, to watch the National
team’s matches in the tournament.

“It is unbelievable to see the
large number of Ethiopians at the stadium last Monday to watch their national
team game against Zambia.

“The number was so
overwhelming: everywhere you turn to inside and outside the stadium, all you
see are the Ethiopian supporters.

“What amused some of us was
the fact that it was an individual that provided the resources for the
Ethiopians to come out in their numbers to support their National team.

“We have lots of wealthy
Nigerians ‘who can support a worthy cause’ for nation building and integration
through sports. More so, this could be used in promoting the good image of
Nigeria,’’ South Africa-based Olubanjo Adesuyi said.

He said the number of
Ethiopians in South Africa could not match the number of Nigerians in living in
the country.

“Nigerian citizens are more in
number than the Ethiopians and you know that an average Nigerian is football
crazy and always wants to support the National team.

“But the greatest problem we
have here as individuals and groups is lack of transportation to the match
venues.

“Although a lot of Nigerians
drove more than four hours to Nelspruit to cheer the Super Eagles, we will
match the Ethiopians, if we have transport from different parts of South Africa
to match venues to cheer the Super Eagles,’’ Adesuyi said.

He
added that some fans were ready to purchase match tickets, if transportation
would be provided.

President, Nigeria Union in South Africa,
Ikechukwu Anyene, added  that the union
was talking with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in a bid to assist the
union in providing transportation to willing supporters of the Eagles to watch
their matches.