‘Eagles coach, chelle was humble to me too’
Mr Emmanuel Oyeleye is not a football fanatic but a patriotic fan of Nigeria’s national teams, irrespective of category. He was at the African Nations Cup (Afcon 2025) in Morocco where he joined other fans and cheered the Super Eagles to beat the Pharaos of Egypt to the Third place match. In this interview with TheTabloid.net on his returm to his Republic of Ireland base, the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife alumnus pats Super Eagles Ademola Lookman’s father in the back for his undying love for Nigeria and humanity. He also speaks generously of the Eagles Coach, Eric Chille whom he ran into at the lobby of his hotel. Excerpts
At what point did you decide you would go and watch Super Eagles?
On one beautiful evening in December after we finished watching Arsenal’s match, I can not remember who brought AFCON into our discussion. I knew it was in Morocco but there was no plan then. I said let me check if there is a direct flight from Dublin to Rabat where the final would be played. Guess what, it was €50 return flight ticket. Instantly, I bought the flight ticket without considering any eventuality.
What next afterwards?
I chatted a few friends about the game but only one responded positively and his name his Lucky Taylor Okougbo. We made hotel reservations for about three hotels of which I later picked one. Come 17th January we headed for the Dublin Airport at 3am and arrived before 5 am.
How was the trip to Morocco?
It was a smooth flight to Rabat; just about three hours 40 minutes. On arrival, there was an SUV car waiting to transport us to the hotel. Getting to the hotel, the driver kept us in the car, waiting to hand us over to a staffer of the hotel to lead us the way. We went through alleyway for about 300 metre before we found the luxurious boutique hotel. I was very disappointed and depressed when I got to the hotel premises.
What happened?
After paying €494 plus for three nights, I had to leave the following morning to get a better place which cost just about €220 for two nights.
Ticketing. What was your experience?
It was so difficult to buy the match tickets from the CAF (Confederation of African Football) official website but I had the belief that we would get tickets at our hotel. Thank God for Mr Ademola Lukman, our star striker’s father, who rescued my friend and I for the third place match tickets. But we couldn’t secure the tickets for the final because it was too expensive.
How expensive?
Over €800 per ticket.
How was your moment with Mr Ademola Lookman?
Meeting him was meant to just hang out for food and drinks but when we connected, he embraced me as if he had known me for years. I have a family friend, Mr and Mrs David and Kofo Ogundele. I told my friend David that I would be going to Morocco to watch the third place and final games. He said his wife’s brother would be there too. I asked him to connect us possibly to hang out for food and drinks. I reached out but he was busy on his phone; so, I left a message. It was difficult to get match tickets but as at the time I was going to make payment to a Moroccan guy who was helping me, Mr Lukman’s call came. I told him I was about to buy my match ticket; he screamed and said I should not play into the hands of dodgy websites. So, I paused. He said, “don’t worry, you and your friend would get tickets for the match”. I was amazed. “Just meet me in my hotel in Casablanca around 12 noon”, he told me. Lo and behold! when we met him, he gave us two match tickets. He gave us in Zone 1 right below the VIP stand, the best.
Was that all?
In the little time we were together at his hotel lobby, I saw him giving tickets to people for free. I saw people that bought tickets at the same hotel lobby for €100 and $100. But he gave them out for free. He took me like his brother, and introduced me to his friends as if he had known me for ages. He introduced me to Ossai Samuel, one of our players and his dad, Mr Muyiwa Kayode his friend.
Is there any other moment that still lingers in your mind?
Another shocking scene was that one of the Super Eagles players dropped some Super Eagles jerseys to be shared to Nigerians at the hotel lobby. I didn’t get from it but I love the gesture. He said after the game we have to hangout. Mr Ademola Lukman is a man full of life. He was always checking on me from that moment.
How was that third place match?
The match was so tensed, and stadium atmosphere was electric because all Moroccans were routing for the Super Eagles. In the end, Naija won.
How did you reconnect after the match?
He called me immediately to meet at Kenzi Tower Hotel, Casablanca lobby of the Super Eagles officials hotel later that night. It was meant to be about 10 minutes away from my hotel Hotel Club Val D Anfa, Casablanca. But the dodgy taxi driver took as a longer route and we were about 30 minutes late. But to my surprise, he waited with his friends for us. We had good dinner. When we finished the meal, we were all tired; we couldn’t go for drink anymore. This was around 1am. We boarded the same taxi, dropped him and headed to our hotel. Ten minutes after we arrived at Hotel Club Val D Anfa, Casablanca, he called just to check on us. He is a complete gentleman.
How can you summarise your Afcon 2025 experience?
The whole experience in Morocco was magical except for my booked accommodation that messed my first night.
I had to check out and look for another accommodation.
What is the face of the country look?
The country looked so beautiful and organised. Food was delicious at a very reasonable prices. Transportation around the country was also very easy, except for some dodgy drivers who always try to exploit the passenger.
Did you meet other Nigerians and officials?
Yes. Meeting them was a great pleasure for me. Among the list is the Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle, a very humble man. Despite that he was in a haste possibly to keep an appointment somewhere, he obliged my casual request for a photograph, especially learning I am a Nigerian fan who traveled down to watch Eagles from Ireland. He was responsible too. I also met Mr Patrick, a NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) official, Mr Muyiwa Kayode, Alao Emiloju, Coach Samson, Obaro Tiblaze and his three other friends who also traveled from Dublin.
Of course, I should not forget a brother from another mother in Comoros Akeem. They were all wonderful people to meet any day.
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