Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated the players, coaches and officials of the Super Eagles for reaching the finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
The team lost 2-1 to Côte d’Ivoire in the final played in Abidjan on Sunday.
A statement by Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammad Idris, commended the players, saying they went to Côte d’Ivoire, flew the national flag high and fought their way to the finals.
“Even though we all hoped for a win, and our first AFCON trophy in a decade, it didn’t quite happen that way.
“We believed in you all the way to this stage, and we continue to believe in you. We know that the best is yet to come. We will try again,” Idris said.
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and 200 million Nigerians appreciated their efforts.
“That we got to the final for the first time since 2013 proves that nothing shall be impossible for Nigeria when we are united as one nation behind one purpose under God”.
Similarly, Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their good showing at the AFCON 2023, where they lost 1-2 to the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, in the final match last night,saying they made the nation proud nevertheless.
He urged the players to hold their heads high despite the defeat in the final because nobody gave them the chance to reach the final when the tournament kicked off on January 13.
“Not many people gave the Super Eagles any chance going into the tournament, but they surged all the way to the final.
“The exploits of the Super Eagles underscores what we can achieve as a nation when we stand together as we have done for weeks that the tournament lasted; and it is my hope that the largely young national team builds on the successes of the tournament, and that as a nation we build on the national concord and purpose displayed in the course of AFCON 2023,” he concluded.
