The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the Super Eagles’ quarter-final victory at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was in tandem with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘renewed hope agenda.’
The president of the NFF, Brahim Gusau, stated as much in an interview conducted on Saturday in Abidjan with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to newsmen, the Super Eagles defeated giant-killers Angola 1-0 on Friday in Abidjan, forcing them into the AFCON semi-finals.
This came after Moses Simon provided a superb assist, sneaking in a pass that allowed Ademola Lookman to score Nigeria’s lone goal in the 41st minute with ease past goalkeeper Guilherme da Costa.
Gusau thanked President Tinubu for his endorsement of the Super Eagles.
He said that the president’s unwavering support for the club demonstrated his dedication to the advancement of sports, particularly football.
“You heard what he said. 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.’
“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.
The NFF boss called on all Nigerians to continue to support the team.
“We have just two matches to go and by the grace of God, we will continue to do what we are doing.
“We call on all Nigerians to pray for us because prayer is the key to whatever we are doing.
“So, we call on all Nigerians to continue to support us with prayers and by the grace of God,” he said.
Aisha Falode, NFF Executive Board Member, said the NFF was working in compliance with the mandate of President Tinubu, who instructed them to go and win the cup for Nigeria.
“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.
According to reports, Nigeria’s opponent for a spot in the final is the victor of this Saturday’s quarterfinal between Cape Verde and South Africa.
The competition in Cote d’Ivoire, which got underway on January 13, will end on February 11.