The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) attributed the Super Eagles’ quarter-final triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to the alignment with Bola Tinubu’s ‘renewed hope agenda.’
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau conveyed this sentiment in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abidjan on Saturday.
Following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Angola in Abidjan on Friday, the Super Eagles secured a spot in the AFCON semi-finals.
The decisive goal was scored by Ademola Lookman in the 41st minute, courtesy of a well-executed assist from Moses Simon.
Gusau expressed gratitude to Tinubu for his unwavering support of the Super Eagles, emphasizing the president’s commitment to sports development, particularly in football.
“He said, ‘Boys go there, believe in me. You don’t have any problem and whatever issues you are facing, just believe in me. Go and do the job and you’ll see the result.’
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“That’s exactly what he told them, and you can see them doing the job.”
“By the grace of God, I know he is going to reward them handsomely, which has never happened before in the history of Nigeria.
“We promised him that we are going to give him the trophy, and by the grace of God, we are going to do just that,” he said.
He also pledged that the team would bring the trophy home, expressing optimism for their success.
“So, we call on all Nigerians to continue to support us with prayers and by the grace of God,” he said.
NFF Executive Board Member Aisha Falode highlighted the organization’s commitment to Tinubu’s mandate to secure victory in the AFCON for Nigeria.
She described it as a mantra of renewed hope and reiterated their goal to bring the 2023 AFCON trophy back to Nigeria for celebration.
“We got that mandate, ‘go win the cup for Nigeria,’ and we are on the way to doing that.”
“It is a mantra of a renewed hope.
“A renewed Super Eagles for a renewed Nigeria with one mandate; to bring the 2023 AFCON trophy back to Nigeria for Nigerians to celebrate.
“That’s what we are going to do. We are on our way to the final. We love Nigeria,” she said.
Falode expressed love for Nigeria and announced that the team was on its way to the final. Nigeria is set to face the winner of the quarter-final between Cape Verde and South Africa for a place in the final.
The AFCON tournament, which commenced on January 13 in Cote d’Ivoire, is scheduled to conclude on February 11.