The Nigeria Association of National Professional Footballers has called on the Nigeria Football Federation to prioritise player safety and fan experience during Nigeria’s upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

 The Director for Safety and Player Welfare, CSP Chijioke Kalu, made the appeal in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He spoke ahead of Nigeria’s matches against Rwanda on Saturday in Uyo and South Africa on Tuesday.

Mr Kalu said the NFF must ensure that ticketing procedures were well managed to support effective crowd control and create a child-friendly stadium atmosphere.

He said, “This is the last weekend of the school holiday. Families, especially children, should be able to access the stadium in a safe and welcoming way.’’ 

He said children should feel safe attending matches with their families to build a stronger fan culture in the future.

Mr Kalu commended the facilities at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, describing it as one of the best in the world in terms of infrastructure and crowd control architecture.

He, however, noted that the ticketing and stadium access system must match international standards in safety and user experience.

He stated, “We must take advantage of technology to improve ticketing, enhance security, and improve the fan experience—particularly for children, women, and the elderly.’’ 

He also called on the NFF to deploy sufficient volunteers to assist with crowd management across key access points in and around the stadium.

He added, “This will ensure seamless movement for all categories of fans and create a secure environment for players and spectators.’’

 The Super Eagles will face Rwanda on Saturday and host South Africa on Tuesday as part of their CAF 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. 

(NAN)