BY JOE APU
PRESIDENT General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo has called on the Confederation of African Football, CAF to take stringent action against the Egyptian Football Federation as well as the government.
His call for action is coming on the heels of the denial of entry visas to over 52 members of the supporters club for today’s encounter against the Pharaohs of Egypt in the second leg AFCON 2017 qualifier billed for Alexandria.
An enraged Ladipo told Daily SunSport in a telephone chat that the action of the Egyptian Embassy is most regrettable noting that it smacks of unsportsmanship.
“The Nigeria Football Supporters Club submitted passports for visa to Egypt over a week and they failed to attend to us. Not one person in the group was issued a visa for today’s encounter. It’s unfortunate that the Egyptians are acting in this manner and I am calling on the Confederation of African Football to see this as a slap on the sport and on Nigeria.
“When the Egyptians came with their supporters, we ensured that we provided for them despite the large turnout of fans at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. CAF needs to take action and quickly too to forestall a future occurrence. Egypt should also understand that this encounter will not be the last between Nigeria and their country. Football is not a do-or-die affair. What are they afraid of,” he queried.
Egypt lead Group G, which has now been reduced to three teams following the withdrawal of Chad, with four points with Nigeria still two points behind on two points. Tanzania are now bottom of the standings on a point.