Nigeria’s national team captain, Ahmed Musa, has expressed his apologies to fellow Nigerians for the Super Eagles’ inability to clinch victory in the recently concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Cote D’Ivoire.
Musa conveyed his regrets during a Breakfast Reception organized by MTN Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.
The team returned to the capital city on Monday night following their second-place finish in the tournament.
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Despite initially leading with a goal, Nigeria was defeated 2-1 by the host nation, Cote D’Ivoire, in a fiercely contested match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday.
Nigeria last won the AFCON tournament in 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa, defeating Burkina Faso 1-0.
“It is a very sad moment for all of us but there is nothing we can do. That is how life is. We will keep doing our best from where we stopped because we have a long way to go.”
“We really appreciate the massive support we have from all Nigerians, we say thank you very much. We are very sorry we didn’t bring the cup back home, but that is life, we will continue from where we stopped,” Musa said.
Also speaking, Super Eagles stand-in captain and 2024 AFCON Most Valuable Player (MVP) William Troost-Ekong, expressed optimism about the team’s performance in Cote D’Ivoire, giving hope for a positive future ahead.
“We are grateful to Nigerians for their support for the team. We have given all we have and they (Nigerians) have made us proud.
“We will do better in the future, this is not the end, this is the beginning of something new,” Troost-Ekong said.
On his part, the 63-year-old Portuguese Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, said that the Eagles played fantastic games and were proud of them.
He also commended the government and the people of Nigeria for their support.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Karl Olutokun Toriola, said that the Super Eagles deserve commendation, expressing confidence that the Eagles would win the next AFCON tournament.
The President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, said that though he and everyone expect to be celebrating with the AFCON trophy, Nigerians are proud of the Eagles.