The reality of the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may be taking its toll on members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club. But the body has teamed up with its counterparts in Ghana and South Africa to ensure that African teams have formidable support at the World Cup.

Already, the chairman of the Unified Nigerian Supporters Club, Vincent Okumagba, is in Canada to prepare grounds for supporters of Black Stars of Ghana, who will face Panama, England, and Croatia in the group stage.

This year’s World Cup marks Ghana’s fifth appearance in the tournament. They will play their group matches in Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia.

Speaking with The Guardian from Canada, yesterday, Okumagba said: “I am the Vice President of the African Football Supporters Association, and I am here to prepare grounds for our members, particularly those from Ghana.

“The Africa Football Supporters Association is headed by Joy Chauke, a South African, and our secretary, Osuman Kassim Awal, is a Ghanaian. Apart from our plans to support Ghana here in Toronto, we will be in Mexico to cheer the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in their group matches.”

The first game of the 2026 World Cup will be played in Group A, with co-host Mexico kicking off the tournament against South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City. The Czech Republic and South Korea complete the group.

Perhaps, one major setback, which Super Eagles’ failure might have cost the Nigerian Supporters Club, is the “largesse” of the World Football Fans Alliance (WOFFA).

Okumagba, who is Africa’s sole representative in WOFFA, hinted yesterday that the body is unhappy that the Super Eagles could not qualify among the 10 countries from Africa.

“WOFFA sent a message to me this morning (Monday) asking about our preparation for the World Cup. I told them the Super Eagle did not qualify, but as the sole African representative in WOFFA, I am doing everything possible for African teams to feel our impact in the World Cup. They told me that WOFFA has secured sponsorship from various corporate organisations to be distributed to key officials.

“If such support from WOFFA comes, I will ensure it gets to our members from African countries. As I said, we will provide support for Ghana in Toronto, and we will be in Mexico to cheer South Africa, but I doubt if we will be able to go to the United States of America to support Egypt and other African teams,” Okumagba stated.