Officials of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and American sports kit company, Nike, may end up running at a loss over sales of the Super Eagles’ World Cup jersey for Russia 2018, as several ‘fake’ versions of the batik design are already talk of the town in Lagos.

Though the NFF insist the Eagles away jersey for Russia 2018 has not been officially launched in Nigeria, the highly attractive design has already popped up in the country’s former capital, with male and female youths turning them into the latest fashion craze.

Considering that the NFF have not officially launched the design at home, observers are of a view that the replicas that are becoming popular with each passing day are smart contraptions that are called ‘Aba Made’ in local parlance.

This comes despite reports of Nigeria’s new batik-design jersey has become one of the biggest in demand among fans heading to Russia 2018, with Nike getting a record three million orders and still counting.

The jersey unveiled in February ahead of the 2018 World Cup, and modeled by Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Leicester City’s pair of Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and female star, Sophia Omidii, is considered one of the liveliest of the jerseys that will be on parade in Russia.

The Mirror UK ratings soon after the London unveiling had declared the Nigerian jersey as the best going into the World Cup.

Many of those tickled by the jersey say the colour combination is very friendly while some who believe in the powers of colours have predicted that it will fetch the Eagles good fortune.

The away shirt’s dominant feature is the bright green-and-white zig-zag pattern running, making for one of the liveliest football shirt designs in recent years.

Iwobi was in agreement with over three million other people who have pre-ordered the kit before it’s released internationally next week.

“When I first saw the new kit I was like, ‘Wow, this is sick! I need one now’,” Iwobi beamed after seeing the new kit.

Nike met up with the Nigerian Football Federation earlier this month and were delighted that their designs have captured the hearts and minds of the public.

NFF second vice-president, Shehu Dikko said: “The Company’s representatives at the meeting expressed delight with the performances of the various national teams since they came on board, and we both agreed that it was time for a much bigger contract. That will be actualised very soon.”