Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) has appealed to the Nigerian Government to prevail on the High Commission of Australia to expedite action on the issuance of entry visas for its members for them to be in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to give their support to the Super Falcons.
Days into the World Cup, no member of the supporters’ club has been in Australia to give the Nigerian ladies the needed support even as the team have been outstanding in the two matches played so far in Brisbane.
Ambassador (Rev). Samuel Ikpea, the National Chairman of NFSC says the supporters club is worried that up till now, they have not heard from the High Commission on the status of the visa applications lodged. Nigerians seeking Australian visas have to apply to the Consular Section of the High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
Speaking further, he appealed to the NFF to intervene on the delay of the High Commission to issue visas to Nigerian football fans.
“It’s painful and unfortunate that we’re yet to be issued visas by the Embassy. We have diligently complied with all the needed requirements. And we really don’t understand the delay on the issuance of the visas.”
“We are therefore, making a passionate appeal to the Nigeria Football Federation to intervene and see this matter as a national emergency.
“South Africa faced similar issue and they were issued visas, when the South African intervened and threatened to pull out of the competition. We appeal to the NFF to please come to our assistance in this regard. We want to be in Australia live, to cheer our girls to ultimate victory,” Ikpea stated.
Meanwhile, it was wild and untold jubilation Thursday at the Surulere, Lagos, national headquarters of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), when the Super Falcons defeated co-host of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup, Australia 1-2 in Brisbane, in a keenly contested match.
Members of Nigeria and Africa’s foremost football fans group (NFSC) and its world famous band, who are yet to receive their entry visas to Australia to watch the Nigerian team live, however, cheered, sang and danced non-stop as the Super Falcons romped to victory.
While speaking with journalists after the game, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, the President-General of the NFSC, congratulated the Super Falcons on the victory, attributing it to hardwork and resilience. He however, lamented the delay by the Australia Embassy in Nigeria to issue visas to Nigeria fans, who were ready to go watch the Super Falcons live at the World Cup.
Ambassador Ikpea, on his part, expressed joy and happiness on the victory, which he said would soothe the nerves of Nigerians.
