Ahead of Tuesday’s explosive soccer encounter, fans of Nigerian Super Eagles are thrilled as the team get set to face Zimbabwean National football Team ‘‘The Warriors’’ in the World Cup qualifying match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital.
The excitement has gained momentum as Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno secured 30,000 tickets for distribution to football fans to enable them watch the epic soccer encounter.
The Super Eagles, currently on the fourth position on the table with six points, need a convincing win to revive the hope of their participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition.
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The free tickets are being picked up by fans beginning from Monday from any of the radio stations in the state capital as well as the Uyo Township Stadium.
The other collection centres are De Venus Bar and Restaurant, Stadium Road, Uyo, Plaza Management Committee Office, Ibom Plaza, Uyo and all previous sales agents and centres in the state capital.
The state Sports Commissioner, Elder Paul Bassey said in a statement on Monday that “no persons will be permitted entry into the stadium without tickets. Tickets will not be distributed at the stadium. Fans without tickets should not be found within the stadium vicinity.
“Fans in the stadium must be orderly and must abide by the seating arrangements and instructions as would be announced by the organizers. “All FIFA/CAF/NFF rules bordering on the organization of international football matches would be strictly adhered to.
“Security agencies have been put on notice to ensure strict compliance to all the aforementioned. This gesture by His Excellency is to encourage citizens and residents of the state to come out en masse and cheer the Super Eagles to victory.”
Bassey further announced that the Nigeria Football Federation is planning to give 500 free jerseys to the first 500 fans that will come to the stadium on Tuesday.
Ekong shrugs off Zimbabwean mouth-watering pledge
Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong has downplayed Zimbabwe’s financial incentives ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, insisting Nigeria remains focused on securing a vital win in Uyo.
Ahead of Tuesday’s clash, the Zimbabwean government has promised each player a $150,000 (approximately N300 million) reward for beating Nigeria.
However, Ekong made it clear that such incentives won’t influence the Super Eagles’ determination to continue their push for qualification.
Speaking at Kigali International Airport before the team’s departure on Saturday, Ekong emphasized Nigeria’s hunger to return to the World Cup stage, particularly after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
“We read somewhere that the Zimbabweans are being motivated to come to Uyo and get a result. They should forget it,” the CB stated.
Ekong, who played at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, stressed that most players in the squad have never experienced the tournament and are eager to make their mark on the global stage.
“We are hugely motivated by the ambition to play at the FIFA World Cup. Apart from myself, Alex (Iwobi), and perhaps a couple of others, who were part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, this generation is hungry to play at the highest level.
“We want to make Nigeria proud and at the same time, do ourselves proud,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nigeria currently occupying the fourth position in Group C with six points after five rounds of matches will lock horns with Zimbabawean team at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on March 25 at 5 p.m.
