President Bola Tinubu has joined Nigerians to celebrate the dramatic qualification of the country to the final of the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast at the expense of the Super Eagles.
The Super Eagles beat South Africa 4-2 on penalties after both teams were level 1-1 after extra time in the northern Ivorian town of Bouake Wednesday night.
They thus remain on course to win a fourth AFCON title after their previous conquests in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
President Tinubu congratulated the team, saying they have made Nigerians proud and tasked them to go on and win the tournament Sunday.
“From the Southernmost cape of Africa to the Plains of Mauritania and the coast of West Africa…. You have made us all proud to be Nigerians! Go… Soar in the AFCON Finals Well done, boys!,” the Nigerian President posted on X
Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima watched the game in Bouake and celebrated with the victorious team in the dressing room.
He promised the team a special reward by the government.
“We need something like this victory to distract us from the sufferings and hardship that Nigerians are going through,” said former Nigeria coach and captain Sunday Oliseh.
“Now you can say Nigeria is back after we missed out on the last World Cup (in 2022).”
“This was a sweet victory for Nigeria and even Ivory Coast cannot stop us now from crossing the finish line,” said former Enyimba striker Victor Ezeji, who played for 20 seasons in the domestic league.
“The team know this is a chance of a lifetime for them to be champions, so let’s do it again!”
The local media also joined in the jubilation.
The victory was the lead story in national newspapers ThisDay and The Vanguard with lavish photo displays of the Super Eagles rejoicing.
The Punch published on its front page a photo gallery including one of hero of the night goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saving one of the kicks during the penalty shootouts.
