His real name may not ring a bell, but once you mention his nickname, hardly would you meet anybody who is anybody as far as the national teams of Nigeria is concerned who do not know him. Abayomi Ogunjimi popularly known by most people as Bonfrere is the young man who has decided to do thing differently and changed how the supporters’ club operation is done in Nigeria.
When next any Nigeria’s national team is playing, especially the senior national team, the Super Eagles, whenever the camera pans to show the Nigerian supporters club cheering the team on, watch out for a fair, agile young man, directing the affairs of the supporters club from the stand, that man is Bonfrere.
According to those who know the restless, hardworking and highly cerebral young man, he has been an integral part of the Nigerian football supporters club for more than 20 years, he is said to have been going around the continents of the world with the supporters’ club from a very young age, gathering a lot of experience as regards management, logistics and travel schedules.
Today, Bonfrere has floated his own faction of the football supporters’ club named Authentic Nigeria Football Supporters Club and already has the endorsement of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. To underscore how well organized the club is, they are already putting finishing touches to an imposing edifice they have secured in Surulere, Lagos which is to serve as the secretariat for the club.
Also, some of Nigeria’s biggest football supporters, both individuals and corporate organizations have endorsed the Authentic Nigeria Football Supporters Club, like Mr.Kunle Soname of Bet9ja, Abiodun Osinibosi of Abelini, former Super Eagles star, Victor Moses, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Dr. Amos Adamu, Peter PSquare, DJ Cuppy, amongst many others. The club’s presence was hugely felt at the last African Cup of Nations, AFCON in Egypt 2019 where the Super Eagles came third, after a defeat to Algeria in the semi final match.
Abayomi Ogunjimi, AKA Bonfrere were in the stands throughout the competition, with their very colourful uniform, cheering the Super Eagles on with their drums, horns and other musical instruments.
The Nigerian football supporters club is one of the most colourful and entertaining at global football events; in fact any competition Nigeria does not qualify for always misses the thrills, frills and fun that the Nigerian supporters are renowned for.
The Nigerian supporters and their unique identity and style came to global prominence when Nigeria qualified for the senior Word Cup for the first time in 1994. USA ’94 was where Nigeria announced its presence on the global football stage and although the country crashed out in the second round of the competition, its football style and unique sense of purpose was not lost to global football followers. Nigeria will return to the USA in 1996 to finish what it started in 1994 by winning the Olympic gold at Atlanta ’96.
Part of the Olympic glory was the outstanding presence of the Nigerian football supporters club.
