Plans to airlift about 200 Nigerian fans to Morocco for Thursday’s World Cup playoff between the Super Eagles and Gabon have been cancelled after visa complications disrupted the travel arrangements, Footynaija.com reports.
The initiative was originally set up to provide the national team with visible and vocal support in Rabat, where Nigeria are chasing a 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket under head coach Eric Chelle.
Officials had hoped the presence of hundreds of travelling fans would create a lively atmosphere similar to home matches.
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“The plan is off because of problems in securing the fans’ visas into Morocco,” an official said, according to a report by BSN Sports.
With the setback confirmed, the Nigerian Embassy in Rabat is now expected to mobilise Nigerian students and residents already living in Morocco to fill the void in the stands and rally behind the Super Eagles during the crucial fixtures, the report added.
The embassy’s move is aimed at ensuring the players still feel a sense of home backing when they line up against Gabon in Thursday’s semi-final of the African playoff series.
A win would see Nigeria face either Cameroon or DR Congo in Sunday’s final, with a place in the inter-continental playoff at stake.
The Super Eagles have been in Rabat since the start of the week, with at least 14 players already in camp as training intensified on Monday. The group is expected to be complete by Wednesday, when Chelle finalises his match plan.
While the absence of hundreds of fans travelling from Nigeria is a blow, the team will now depend on local support and the energy of Nigerian students and residents across Morocco to lift them in the decisive encounters.
