Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick, has dedicated the Super Eagles qualification for 2019 AFCON to President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians, as he also confirmed that the team will begin preparation for the 2019 AFCON immediately after Nigeria’s participation was confirmed on Saturday.
The Eagles sealed qualifications for the Africa biggest football festival with a hard fought 1:1 away to South Africa, which incidentally was the last country the team played an AFCON game since 2013.
While speaking after the game, the Confederation of African Football first vice president dedicated the qualifications to President Buhari and also the people of Nigeria.
“Just as happened in the qualifying series for the FIFA World Cup, we have won the ticket to the AFCON with a match to spare.
“This victory is for President Muhammadu Buhari, the Government and people of Nigeria. We commend the technical crew and the players, and I must praise Governor Simon Lalong who is here with his wife to support the team. He has been a pillar of support.
“I also congratulate the members of the NFF Executive Committee, NFF Management and Staff, members of the NFF Congress, Football Stakeholders and the media.
The NFF boss, also said the team is gunning for their fourth African title in Cameroon not just mere participation.
“We will begin the preparations for the AFCON immediately. As I have said several times, we do not want the AFCON ticket just to go there and make up the number, but to make a massive impact at the finals.” he concluded
Nigeria is the ninth team to seal their ticket to the tournament as they joined the hosts Cameroon, Madagascar, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Uganda who already guaranteed tickets at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
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