By Ken Afor
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated the country’s senior men’s football team, the Super Eagles, following their qualification for the final of the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The President commended the team for making Nigerians proud at the AFCON and charged them to replicate the victory as they face hosts Ivory Coast in the final on Sunday, February 11.
The President stated this in a post shared on his verified X account.
He wrote, “From the Southernmost cape of Africa to the Plains of Mauritania and the coast of West Africa….
You have made us all Proud to be Nigerians!
Go… Soar in the AFCON Finals
Well done, boys!”
Also, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has joined prominent Nigerians to commend the Super Eagles.
The WTO chief, in a post shared on her verified X account and monitored by TheNewDiplomat, congratulated the team for putting a smile on millions of Nigerians following their 4-2 victory over South Africa on penalties.
She also congratulated the South African team for their courageous display against the West African football powerhouse, the Super Eagles.
She wrote, “Ngozi Okonjo We got it done!! Our very own @NGSuperEagles did it. Congratulations!! You have put a smile on all our faces. Let me also congratulate our South African brothers in @BafanaBafana for a valiant showing. Let’s now march forward.”
Similarly, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, in his congratulatory message to the team on his X account, commended the players for their fighting spirit and charged them to go for victory as they play the host country, Ivory Coast, on Sunday.
He wrote, “Today was yet another victorious outing for Nigeria as our National Team, the Super Eagles displayed great fighting spirit, beating the Bafana Bafana of South Africa to take Nigeria to the finals in the ongoing AFCON games.
“Our team has maintained great determination, professionalism, and patriotism with a high energy level, signifying their readiness to bring home the trophy.
“I congratulate them, and our dear nation for this victory, while appreciating everyone who has contributed to our victorious journey so far. As we prepare for the finals, and get ready to lift the trophy together, we remain hopeful that, together as one,
“We will lift the banner of unity, peace, and progress in the New Nigeria we look forward to. Nigeria is a great nation with great people!”
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his commendation, specifically identified the professional display of the Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who was voted as the Man of the Match for his great saves.
The Governor also hailed the captain, William Troost-Ekong, who has consistently delivered on penalties right from the group stage.
“So proud of our Super Eagles for finding that extra tenacity to push through. From Nwabali with the in-match and penalty heroics to Ekong to Osimhen for taking initiative to help us score in the match and to the silent hero, Coach José Peseiro, everyone dug deep to give us this one.
“Off to the finals and by God’s grace the Cup. For now, we’re playing @asakemusik ‘s Amapiano for the rest of the week,” he said.
On his part, the Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, in his message, congratulated the team for their consistency and for giving Nigerians a reason to rejoice.
He urged the players to continue with their winning mentality as they face the hosts, Ivory Coast, on Sunday in the final.
“My dear Super Eagles, today you have given every Nigerian Compatriot a reason to rejoice. We all doff our hats to you.
“You have shown us all that the Nigerian spirit is a winning spirit. You are conquering the continent one match at a time. Bravo, heroes of our time!
“You have set your goals high and you have not stopped. Keep soaring and bring home the Africa Cup of Nations.
Unto the Finals.
Congratulations!!!”
TheNewDiplomat had earlier reported that the Super Eagles on Wednesday night thrashed the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 in a penalty shootout during the semi-final stage of the tournament.
The game was decided on a penalty shootout after the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw at the end of 120 minutes of action.
Nigeria scored four and missed one kick, while South Africa found the back of the net twice and missed two kicks, giving the West African country a two-goal advantage and securing a spot in the final of the tournament.
Nigeria’s qualification for the final would be the 8th time. The team qualified for the final in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2013, and 2024.
