The Nigeria Football Federation has commiserated with the people of Morocco over the powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the North African country on Friday night. 

“This is a very difficult period for the people of Morocco. We deeply mourn with them on this devastating earthquake, and we pray that Almighty God will comfort those who have lost loved ones and also grant the souls of the dead eternal rest,” NFF President Ibrahim Gusau said on Saturday.

“The NFF and the Nigeria Football fraternity are shocked beyond words at the carnage to human lives and infrastructure,” the statement added.

At least 1,039 people have been killed and hundreds others injured due to the tremor, which is the worst in the country’s history in more than 100 years, with its epicentre in the High Atlas mountains, close to Marrakech.

Images on state television showed buildings toppled and heavily damaged as residents scrambled for safety – jammed vehicles and rocks blocked roads leading to heavily affected areas, slowing down rescue efforts in the early hours of Saturday.

“Our hearts are with the people of that country, and we commiserate with not only the Football fraternity but the generality of the Moroccan population on this tragedy,” the football administrator said in Uyo ahead of Super Eagles 2023 AFCON qualifier against São Tomé and Principe on Sunday.

Also, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has instructed member associations to observe a one-minute silence in honour of the earthquake victims in Morocco at all matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series taking place this weekend across the continent.