President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implored the Super Eagles to do everything possible to ensure victory for the country as Nigeria battle against arch rivals, Cameroon on Saturday for a quarter-final place at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
The President’s message was conveyed to the team through the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, via a zoom meeting yesterday. He urged the Super Eagles to tenaciously face their opponents in tomorrow’s crucial Round of 16 encounter.
According to a release signed by Diana-Mary Tiku Nsan, Special Assistant (Media) to Senator Enoh, the Super Eagles were informed that the President was following the team religiously, hence they must redouble their efforts as Nigerians back home are rooting for them.
“The President is actually watching the matches that you are playing and he is urging you and also showing an understanding of the game. He knows there was a lot of cautiousness at the group stages, and from the round of 16 there is going to be a more impressive performance,” the minister reportedly said. “I also need to communicate to you the mood back home. Every Nigerian is rooting for you. Every Nigerian is believing that you are going to do it again; like the slogan of the NFF: ‘Let’s do it again!’”
The Minister enjoined the players to listen to the coaching crew in order to fulfill their aspiration of winning the AFCON, as Nigeria seeks a fourth title following their previous successes in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
“There is nobody who wants to win this tournament as much as the Nigeria’s coach, Peseiro,” he said.
While urging the players to be focused and not be distracted by the social media, the Minister further stated that the tournament presents an opportunity for the players to carve a niche for themselves and thereby take their football career to the next level.
With a passionate appeal to the team to win their match against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, Senator Enoh expressed confidence in the capacity of the Super Eagles to win the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
Responding on behalf of the team, the Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, while thanking the Minister for the words of encouragement, said that it would be nice to have the president in Abidjan watch and cheer them to victory.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
