WAFU Cup: Buhari expecting trophy – NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has urged the home-based Super Eagles to do everything possible to beat their perennial rivals, Black Stars of Ghana in tomorrow’s final of the WAFU Cup of Nations because President Mohammadu Buhari is eagerly waiting to celebrate with the trophy.

The Super Eagles, who are yet to concede a goal in the maiden sub-regional football tournament, had defeated the Black Stars 2-0 in their last group match to qualify for the semifinal.

Secretary General of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi told The Guardian yesterday before departing for Accra, Ghana that the nation’s number one citizen was expecting the trophy, just as he disclosed that the NFF has given the players and their coaching crew the support they need to ‘finish’ the job against the Black Stars.

“I am on my way to Accra with a message from President Mohammadu Buhari to the players and their officials that Nigerians back home are very happy with them. In fact, Mr. President is waiting to celebrate with the trophy and the Eagles have to double their effort in making sure they beat Ghana in the final on Sunday,” Sanusi stated.

The NFF scribe hinted that a huge financial reward awaits the players and their handlers if they win the trophy, although he did not give details.

The coach Salisu Yusuf-led home-based Eagles made it to the final by beating the Squirrels of Benin Republic by a lone goal in the semifinal, while the Ghana Black Stars handed a 2-0 defeat to Niger Republic.

All eyes will be on Eagles’ duo of Anthony Okpotu and Rabiu Ali in tomorrow’s final against the Black Stars. A beautiful counter-attacking football between the two gave Nigeria the lone goal in Thursday’s semifinal against the Squirrels.

Meanwhile, CAF President Ahmad Ahmad, as well as NFF President and CAF Executive member, Amaju Pinnick are already in Accra for a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee holding today.

The agenda of the meeting includes appointment of members of the CAF Standing Committees, transition of Interclub competitions from February – November to August – May, Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya 2018, Total Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2018, Total Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2019 and setting up of an organizing committee for the Women’s Football Symposium scheduled for Morocco in the first quarter of 2018