The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations recently concluded with the host nation, Ivory Coast, emerging victorious after defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the final.
However, behind the scenes, there were challenges faced by Nigerian fans that are now coming to light.
Despite the intense match between the Elephants and the Super Eagles, many noticed the scarcity of Nigerian supporters in the stadium. This raised questions about the availability of tickets for Nigerian fans.
Ovie Ofugara, the CEO of music website, NotJustOk, shared his frustration on Twitter about the difficulty of acquiring final tickets, describing them as scarcer than a Bigfoot sighting. He criticized the handling of ticket sales by CAF and the Ivorian organizing committee.
Ayoola Ajuwon, the General Manager of 21st Century Evolution Systems LTD, revealed that while he managed to secure tickets relatively easily, others faced challenges. He highlighted the issue of ticket hoarding, leading to exorbitant prices in some cases.
Ajuwon also recounted the arduous journey to the stadium and expressed disappointment with the organization at the gates, terming the experience as a disaster.
Following the match, reports of intimidation and threats towards Nigerian fans surfaced, raising concerns about the need for better security and hospitality measures by CAF.
Looking ahead, the focus now shifts to the 2025 AFCON, which will be hosted by Morocco. This beckons a call for proactive measures to address the challenges faced by fans in the recent tournament in Ivory Coast.
