Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the outstanding performance of the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the final of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, commended the team, the coach, the crew, and the entire team management for their hard work, assiduity, and sacrifice to have gone that far in the tournament.
However, the president urged Nigerians to be of good cheer, emphasizing that “we won a great victory in the hearts of Africa and the world by our grit, rigour, and determination in the field of play.
“Let this passing event not dispirit us but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love.
“To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow; do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” the President says.
On his part, former Vice president and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Atiku Abubakar, said he was proud of the team’s performance.
Atiku, in a message on his X Page, formerly Twitter, said, “Not the result we all expected. Nonetheless, we remain #SuperEagles. Still proud of you guys. Well done, SuperEagles.”
The Informant247 reports that the host country, Cote D’Ivoire, had, on Sunday night, defeated Nigeria to win the 2023 edition of the African Cup of Nations.
The Ivorians defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-1 to claim the trophy.
Captain William Troost-Ekong had earlier sent the Nigerian team to the lead in the 38th minute of the first half with a fine header.
Coming back to the second half, the hosts increased their search for a goal, and it was Frank Kessie who got them an equaliser with a header in the 63rd minute.
Fast forward to the last ten minutes of the game, Sebastian Haller tapped in a cross in the 81st minute to complete the comeback for the Ivorian and seal their third-ever AFCON title.