The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, paid tribute to the four Nigerians who died while watching their semi-final match against South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday.
The team observed a minute of silence and prayed for the souls of the departed before their training session on Thursday, ahead of the final match against Egypt on Sunday.
The deceased were identified as Dr Cairo Ojougboh, a former lawmaker from Delta State; Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, the deputy bursar of Kwara State University; Samuel, a corps member serving in Adamawa State; and Mikail Osundiji, a resident of Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to reports, they suffered cardiac arrests or collapsed due to the high tension and excitement of the match, which Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties
The Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and vowed to dedicate the AFCON trophy to them if they emerge victorious in the final.
“Yesterday we lost four good Nigerians because of the game yesterday. Please we will take one minute silence and after that Awaziem will lead us in prayer. They need our support right now and by God’s grace we are going to lift that trophy for them for our country,” Musa said.
The Super Eagles are aiming to win their fourth AFCON title and their first since 2013, when they defeated Burkina Faso in the final. They will face a formidable opponent in host nation, Ivory Coast, who have won the tournament two times.
The final match will kick off at 8 pm Nigerian time on Sunday at the Alassane Ouattara stadium.