In a remarkable display of cross-continental support, a White man and his daughter journeyed all the way from Ireland to Morocco to cheer for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. Their passionate fandom has captured the hearts of Nigerians worldwide.
Fulham Fandom Fuels Support for Nigeria
The duo, identified as Allen and his daughter, are lifelong supporters of English Premier League club Fulham. In a video interview that has since gone viral, they revealed that their allegiance to the Nigerian national team stems directly from the Nigerian stars who have played for Fulham.
Allen explicitly named the four Super Eagles players they are rooting for the most: Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, and former Fulham player Ademola Lookman. "Because we have Alex Iwobi playing for Nigeria, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze and also Ademola Lookman, who used to play for Fulham. So, we follow Nigeria," Allen explained.
His daughter, beaming with excitement, shared that her deep interest in football began around six years ago, in 2020. They were seen holding a sign that read 'Fulham loves Nigeria', symbolizing the unique bridge between their club loyalty and their newfound national team support.
A Bittersweet Journey: Support Cut Short by Ticket Scarcity
The father and daughter had been in Morocco for a week, immersing themselves in the AFCON atmosphere. However, they delivered disappointing news to their new Nigerian admirers: they would not be able to stay until the final match.
The reason was a practical yet frustrating one: they could not secure tickets for the highly anticipated semi-final clash between Nigeria and host nation Morocco. That crucial match is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the 70,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
Despite their early departure, the family expressed strong belief that the Super Eagles have what it takes to go all the way and lift the trophy. Nigeria advanced to the semi-final after a 2-0 victory over Algeria, while Morocco defeated Cameroon by the same scoreline.
Nigerians React with Admiration and Concern
The viral video, shared by @makingofchamps on TikTok, sparked a wave of reactions from moved and concerned Nigerians on social media. Many were touched by the family's dedication, while others were worried about the implication of a fully booked stadium for the semi-final.
One user, EdipiZzy, commented: "Am heartbroken just because they have no tickets so disappointed." Another, Debstarry, made a plea: "Someone should see this and get them tickets so they can watch the semifinals."
The conversation also turned to national pride, with user Babangida noting: "Our country Nigeria is respected across the world, God bless federal republic of Nigeria." The overwhelming sentiment was one of gratitude and a desire to see the passionate fans get to witness the historic match.
This heartwarming story unfolds against the backdrop of a high-stakes semi-final. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has already sent a strong message to Morocco, headlining a statement with "Morocco faces exit door," signaling confidence in the Super Eagles' ability to reach consecutive AFCON finals.
