President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win the second-round match against Tunisia at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Buhari Motivates Super Eagles
The president gave the charge in a video call with the Nigerian squad who are preparing to take on Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua, Cameroon, by 8pm on Sunday.
Buhari who spoke from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also spoke with Coach Augustine Eguavoen, Captain Ahmed Musa , President of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, and Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin (retd).
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the president urged the Super Eagles to continue their impressive display at the tournament and make the nation proud.
He said, “I’ve agreed to speak with you, our gentlemen, because we have been making Nigeria proud. You’ve been winning. Please keep on winning.
“Thank you to all the Nigerian coaches and, importantly, you to all the players — Kelechi, Moses, and the rest of you. I very much appreciate your efforts.
“You’ve been doing Nigeria proud. You’ve been winning. Please keep on winning. The Federal Government is supporting you, and I say thank you to all the technical crew and the players. Please keep doing the country proud.”
President Buhari also applauded the good work being done by the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, saying the country appreciates it.
Responding, Coach Eguavoen said; “We are so excited that His Excellency, President Buhari, has come to speak with us this morning. On behalf of the players and the technical crew, I want to say thank you very much sir.
“The group stage has passed, and your speaking to us is a morale booster. Thank you for your support, Mr President, we also thank the Hon. Minister, and the NFF President. We are so privileged, and want to promise that you should just relax, we’ll come out victorious. We won’t let the nation down.”
Nigeria’s Ambassador, Olonisakin said the over four million Nigerians living in Cameroon have been giving robust support to the Super Eagles since they arrived Garoua, Cameroon, on January 5, “and they will continue to do so.”
Ahmed Musa, on behalf of the players, appreciated President Buhari, noting that it is not easy to speak with the leader of a country, and they count themselves privileged.
“We will make Nigeria proud, now that we have the blessings of the father of the nation,” Musa said.
NFF President, Pinnick described the video conference as “a priceless privilege,” and thanked President Buhari and the nation at large for their prayers and support.
He said under the current dispensation, Nigeria has won the Under 17 football tournament twice, “and we want to win the Africa Cup of Nations too.”
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KanyiDaily recalls that Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola had pledged the sum of $250,000 to the Super Eagles if they win the 2021 AFCON trophy.
