Supporters raise alarm over match-fixing

Fresh from their trip to Oran, Algeria, where they went to cheer the Super Eagles to a 5-2 trouncing of Algeria in a 2006 World Cup qualifier, members of the Nigerian Football and Other Sports Supporters Club have raised an alarm of plans by Angola, to fix their crucial and decisive World Cup qualifier game against Rwanda in October.

Briefing nigeriasports.com of the alleged Angolan-planned match-fixing arrangements when they take on Rwanda in Kigali in October, President-General of the club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo disclosed that, “when we got to Algeria for the Eagles encounter with the Algerian Foxes, we were informed of Angola’s failed bid to penetrate their camp with financial rewards if, they could hold us to at least, a draw.

“We also got hints of how the Angolans have planned to invade the Rwandese camp with about $1M (One Million US Dollars) to bribe them, so that, they (Angola) could win the match when both countries meet in October ”Further beefing-up Ladipo’s allegations, the national chairman of the club, Alhaji Yusuf Adenrele added:

“A look at the Africa Zone Qualifying matches, reveals that, Angola have never won an away match…the best they have been able to achieve all along, had been a draw. “So, if they succeed in beating the Rwandese at home, then, something must be wrong and we want FIFA to closely monitor all the last encounters in the continent. We are appealing to both CAF and FIFA to ensure that, such mud-smeared situation, should not given a survival room.

Both men noted and recalled in appreciation, Fifa’s decision to replace the center referee, who officiated our match against Angola in Kano, Nigeria on the claim of bribery attempt by the same Angola, by the initially chosen referee. “A sell out of the Rwanda/Angola encounter in Kigali, would not only drag the name of the game in Africa into global disrepute, would also rub better African nations, the privilege of showcasing themselves at the World Cup Finals next in Germany,” the Nigerian sports cheer leaders observed.