Fans coming from Nigeria to support the Super Eagles are only now
arriving in Japan.
They had been stuck in Lagos waiting for visas, which were only issued the
day before Nigeria played Sweden.
"We are not happy coming so late," said the head of the Nigerian Football
Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo.
"It was never of our making, rather an act of sabotage by the Japanese.
"Back home in Nigeria we started the process of obtaining visas three months
ago, and we were not obliged until a day before our second match against
The 271 fans who obtained visas travelled to Tokyo via Dubai, where they had
a 15 hour stop-over, ensuring they missed the game.
Oladipo says they have not been given a satisfactory explanation for the
visa delay by the Japanese embassy.
"We were given a lot of conflicting excuses. They asked for match tickets,
air fares and asked for Fifa's confirmation, which should not have been the
"The Nigerian Football Supporter's Club is known all over the
world. If any country is hosting the world, they should know that the
Nigerian supporters club should be there."
The fans now have only the last group match against England to look forward
to, as the Super Eagles are out of contention after losing to Argentina and
Oladipo says things could have been very different.
"If we had been there, certainly my team would not have been beaten the way
"We are considered the twelfth player of the team. All the time
we give support, by cheering and singing. All the songs are messages to
tell the players to do the right thing at the right time."
And he says they will do everything to help the team beat England.
"We are playing for prestige and the integrity of Nigeria. We cannot afford
to lose to England.
We have been beaten twice, and we have to make a point
that we are a nation that is serious, and one that will defend itself on the
field of play. We are going to implore and motivate the players to play a
good game against England."