By Sylvester Kwentua
President Tinubu sends delegation to cheer Super Eagles in Ivory Coast. As the African Cup of Nations comes to a close this weekend, Nigerians have one message for the Super Eagles, and that is “Bring home the trophy”.
The one month football competition draws to an end on Sunday night with a game between the host nation, the Elephants of Ivory Coast and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
It was not an easy task getting to the final, for the Super Eagles, as they had to battle against low expectations from Nigerians, as a lot of people felt the Super Eagles were not going to fare well in the competition.
A lot of them felt the Nigeria football team had not adequately prepared for the tournament.
However, four weeks into the competition, the Super Eagles are in the final and they are set to battle for the trophy, and they have the support of Nigerians , who have instructed them to come back home with the champion’s cup.
Speaking to football lovers across sports viewing centers, one can deduce that a lot of people believe the AFCON trophy belongs to Nigeria.
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Habeeb Adeyanju, a passionate Manchester United football club supporter, believes nothing can stop the Super Eagles from lifting the trophy.
“Na Nigeria go carry the trophy oh. You think Ivory Coast will win us? No nah! We won them before, we will win them again” Habeeb sounded confident.
When this reporter asked if he thinks Ivory Coast will like to lose to Nigeria for a second time in the same competition, Habeeb replied thus..
“Ivory Coast no be Nigeria mate for football na, they will lose again to Nigeria, either them like it or not”
Fatai Sholumade, another passionate football lover, is of the opinion that the gane will be a difficult one, but Nigeria will triumph.
“The Ivory coast we won in the group stage will be different from the one we will play in the final, but anyhow they want it, Nigeria will still win them. The game may be decided by penalties, but Nigeria will win sha” Fatai boasted.
Adejoke Bisi, a female football lover, wants Nigeria to lift the trophy, because a win for Nigeria, will make her husband happy and ‘treat her well ‘.
“Since this competition started, my husband and I have not had issues. And whenever Nigeria wins a match, my husband gives me the special treatment but outside and inside the bedroom. Abeg, Super Eagles should win oh, so that my husband will do me well again this weekend” Adejoke jokingly submitted.
The game between the Ivory Coast and Nigeria will be played on Sunday night, by 9pm Nigeria time.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles will not lack support from there homeland, as President Tinubu of Nigeria, has sent a strong government delegation led by the Vice president, Kashim Shettima, to motivate the team to victory.
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Stanley Nkwocha, the spokesperson of the Vice president, in a statement, feels the presence of the government’s delegation in Ivory Coast, indicates president Tinubu’s support for the national football team.
“Recognizing the unifying power of football and the immense role the Super Eagles play in fostering national pride and unity, the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, believes that Vice President Shettima’s presence at the finals alongside the delegation is a testament to the government’s unwavering support for the team and its dedication to their success.” Nkwocha affirmed.