
Ekong celebrates with his team mates; Credit: NFF.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, expressed his optimism on Friday following the Super Eagles’ triumph over hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals.
He believes that the victory has opened the door to success not only for the Super Eagles but also for Nigerian football as a whole.
In a statement, Gusau stated, “I do not doubt in my mind that this victory has opened the door of success for not only the Super Eagles but Nigeria Football on a general level. The win has brought the needed confidence for us to build on and achieve more success. Defeating a host nation in a competition of this magnitude is no mean feat.”
Acknowledging that some might argue that nothing substantial has been won yet, Gusau emphasized the importance of celebrating smaller victories as they serve as inspiration for bigger achievements.
He commended the players for their calmness and superb organization in the tactical game against the Elephants, viewing it as a positive response to the criticism that followed the previous 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.
Expressing his displeasure with the earlier draw, Gusau thanked the team for responding well against the Ivorians and expressed confidence in their ability to go far in the competition. He urged Nigerians from all walks of life to continue supporting and praying for the Super Eagles’ success in the ongoing finals.
This historic victory marked the first time in 57 years that Nigeria defeated Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan at the senior level. Gusau recalled previous encounters between the two teams, emphasizing the significance of the recent achievement.
Looking ahead, with the Super Eagles currently second on the group A log, Gusau highlighted the possibility of finishing as group winners if they perform well against Guinea Bissau. He also discussed the potential scenarios involving Equatorial Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire, emphasizing the importance of goal difference for group leadership.
In terms of the team’s preparation, half of the Super Eagles squad engaged in gym sessions in the morning, followed by a training session at the École Nationale de la Police in the evening. The upcoming match against Guinea Bissau will play a crucial role in determining the Super Eagles’ standing in the group.
Gusau concluded by emphasizing the significance of continued support and encouragement from Nigerians as the Super Eagles strive for success in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations finals.
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