In an exclusive interview with Sports247, Dr Rafiu Oladipo, the President General Worldwide of the Nigeria Football Supporters Association, shared insights into his extensive journey in fostering football support across the globe.
Having initiated supporter clubs in various countries, from Cote d’Ivoire to the United States, Dr. Oladipo has played a pivotal role in uniting Nigerian football enthusiasts worldwide.
His dedication earned him the title of President General, a symbol of his influence as a father figure to supporters globally.
Addressing misconceptions about his long tenure, Dr Oladipo clarified that he served as the national chairman for ten years, stepping back in 2000.
He emphasized that he remains detached from the internal affairs of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, dispelling notions of prolonged influence.
Dr. Oladipo outlined his financial contributions, revealing his role in raising funds for the supporters’ various projects.
Contrary to popular belief, he affirmed that the funds he accumulated were from his activities in the clearing and shipping industry, not the supporters’ club.
He highlighted his pivotal role in transforming the supporters club from obscurity to international recognition.
Reflecting on his pivotal role in launching chapters worldwide, Dr Oladipo spoke proudly of the awards bestowed upon the Nigeria Football Supporters Club by FIFA and CAF, recognizing them as the best and most entertaining.
He attributed the global adoption of painting faces, trumpeting, and drumming in supporterships to the innovative initiatives he introduced.
With the ongoing AFCON tournament, Dr Oladipo expressed optimism about the Super Eagles, commending their resilience and dispelling predictions of an early exit.
He highlighted victories against Cameroon and Angola, asserting Nigeria’s newfound strength in the competition.
“I am happy that the Super Eagles players have confirmed that they are no jokers. They are part of this tournament and by the grace of God, they will lift the trophy back home.
We got it last in 2013 in South Africa. We had it in Tunisia in 1994, and of course, we had it in Lagos in 1980.
So this time around, we are going to have it for the fourth time in Cote D’Ivoire, and we are presenting that cup to the president of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, And we will all be happy to rejoice.”
“Two countries that amused me are the Cameroonians and the Angolas because they have beaten us before they felt it would be the same ball game again. It’s not like that.
Cameroon has beaten us three times. Of the three times, two of them were robberies. Because I am a football person, the rule is that whatever the referee says is final. So we don’t lose our heads.
We wait for another time to be able to meet them. And that is why I am happy that this time around we beat them with two emphatic goals and then they will not just take us as minus as somebody they can just trample on anymore. We are a force to reckon with.”
“The second team is Angola. Angola in 2006 denied us a ticket to the World Cup. When we went to play there and beat us 1-0, And by the time we got back to Nigeria, we went to play the second leg in Kano.
We played under the Scorching sun and it affected our players. So we played a draw. That was how we were out of the World Cup.
But thank God we were able to beat them in the quarter-finals of the AFCON by showing class. We told them that the Super Eagles are no jokers. They have come here and they have done so well.”
“On this note, I want to praise the efforts of the Super Eagles players. They are Nigerians. They have shown the resilience the Nigerians are made of.
They have shown that they can make us happy and proud. Even their coach would now start thinking otherwise. And you and I were happy about what happened against the Angolans.”
Speaking on the use of Voodoo in football, “There was, but since 1990 we stopped and I believe any country who relies on Voodoo will fail because Voodoo doesn’t play football anymore.
In those days they used Voodoo to win matches. Anybody who does that now is only deceiving himself or herself, no Voodoo again in football.”
“We had a match sometime in one country, which I’m not going to mention the name and being the flag bearer of the nation, I will be the first person to go into the room.
And when I got there I discovered there was blood all over the dressing room and I told my players, no, don’t go into the dressing room.
The captain reported the situation to the match commissioner and they said no, don’t go into the room because my players didn’t go into that room. We beat them.
There was another one when another country came to Nigeria with Voodoo and by the grace of God, we were able to discover it and take it away from them.
And before you know it, you can say anything, that voodoo was put in my pocket and ten minutes later my thigh got swollen and I couldn’t walk anymore. But then I don’t believe in Voodoo anymore, I believe in fasting and prayers and that is what has given us the edge over all other teams.
The leadership of the supporters club tells them that the supporters club must fast and if they are real supporters of Nigeria, they will fast. Anybody who is not fit to fast is not forced to do it. but I tell you all the members comply, they fast and pray.”
