All the members of the Super Eagles players and the technical crew were received on Friday evening on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha and other representatives of the Federal Government with NFF chieftains after their bronze-winning exploit at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Recall that the Super Eagles pipped the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place match on Wednesday at the Cairo International Stadium, thanks to an Odion Ighalo's third-minute finish, who also finished as the top scorer of the tournament with five goals.
Boss Mustapha lauded the player's commitment and performance for making Nigeria proud at the AFCON tournament in Egypt.
He said: “We commend you for finishing third-best in the whole of the African continent. We all wanted the first position but this is football where things sometimes do not go as you plan. The Government of Nigeria is quite happy with your level of discipline and professionalism and how you comported yourselves creditably as Nigerian ambassadors,” Mustapha said.
“The fighting spirit and resilience you demonstrated in Egypt is a reflection of the never-say-die spirit of the Nigerian. We want you to keep it up. I congratulate the technical crew led by Coach Gernot Rohr, the players and the staff of the team. I also wish to congratulate the captain of the team,Mikel Obi that we heard has now retired from international football. We wish him well and thank him immensely for his many years of excellent, patriotic service to the nation.”
“On behalf of the team, Ahmed Musa thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government for the support given to the team before, during and after the AFCON 2019, promising that the Super Eagles will endeavour to do better at the next championship.
Mustapha led a delegation that included the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Olusade Adesola; directors in the sports ministry led by Mrs Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi and management staff of the NFF that included the federation’s deputy general secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and the Director of Competitions, Bola Oyeyode, who coordinated the reception arrangement.
