President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked the Super Eagles ahead of their second round match against Tunisia on Sunday night in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) tournament.
Speaking via video conference from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President spoke with Coach Augustine Eguavoen, Captain Ahmed Musa , Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and Ambassador to Cameroon, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin (Rtd).
Mentioning two of the players, Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon, by name, Buhari urged the Super Eagles to continue making Nigerians happy not only by winning the second round match but to eventually lift the trophy.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President said, “You’ve been doing Nigeria proud. You’ve been winning.
“Please keep on winning. The Federal Government is supporting you, and I say thank you to all the technical crew and the players. Please keep doing the country proud.”
The President applauded the good work by Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, saying the country appreciates it.
Responding, Coach Eguavoen said, “We are so excited that His Excellency, President Buhari, has come to speak with us this morning. On behalf of the players and the technical crew, I want to say thank you very much sir.
“The group stage has passed, and your speaking to us is a morale booster. Thank you for your support, Mr President, we also thank the Hon. Minister, and the NFF President. We are so privileged, and want to promise that you should just relax, we’ll come out victorious. We won’t let the nation down.”
Ambassador Olonisakin said the over 4 million Nigerians living in Cameroon have been giving robust support to the Super Eagles since they arrived Garoua, Cameroon on January 5 “and they will continue to do so.”
Ahmed Musa, on behalf of the players, appreciated Mr President, noting that it is not easy to speak with the leader of a country, and they count themselves privileged.
“We will make Nigeria proud, now that we have the blessings of the father of the nation,” Musa said.
