Sports minister John Enoh has tasked coach Jose Peseiro to lead the Super Eagles to glory at next month’s AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
Nigeria have won the continental diadem thrice, but their last triumph was 10 years ago in South Africa.
For the 2023 AFCON, they are drawn against host Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau in the first round.
Sports minister Enoh said after a meeting with Peseiro and the NFF leadership today in Abuja that the Government is desirous of the AFCON trophy because football has a special place in the heart of Nigerians.
“After 10 years, the country is thirsty to win the AFCON. It will matter a great deal to the Nigerian people, and to the Government of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,” the minister stated.
“Our country is so passionate about football, such that amidst all other sports, football is about the only sport that has an entry in the nation’s national budget.
“That is how important football is, because whatever happens to it, happens to us as a country.”
NFF president Ibrahim Gusau assured that the Super Eagles will fly high at the AFCON, which kicks off January 13 in Abidjan.
