The three-time AFCON winners are on a quest for a fourth continental crown but face an uphill task from the Indomitable Lions
Nigeria's Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, has conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's discontent with the Super Eagles' performance in their last group stage match against Guinea-Bissau during the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
Despite securing victory with a lone goal, the Super Eagles finished as runners-up in Group A. Maintaining an unbeaten record in the competition, the team won two games and drew one.
However, there's a prevailing sentiment that the squad has yet to unleash its full attacking potential at the AFCON.
In response to the perceived underwhelming display, Sen. Enoh engaged in a Zoom meeting with the coaching crew and players on Wednesday.
He recounted President Tinubu's sentiments, stating, “Tell our players I wasn’t too impressed in our last match, but I know that now that they are off the group stages, I know they are going to impress me more and more.”
President Tinubu's dissatisfaction precedes the crucial round of 16 clash against the indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Saturday.
A victory would propel the Super Eagles to the next stage, while a loss would result in elimination, mirroring their fate in the previous AFCON.
In response to President Tinubu's message, Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa assured that the team would put in the work to secure a win.
Musa, however, made a unique demand of the President, urging him not to watch the game on television but to attend the tournament in Ivory Coast.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Musa said, “We don’t want him to watch the game on TV anymore; we want him over here [Ivory Coast] to come and cheer us together. So this is our own message to the President.”
Caught off guard by the plea, Minister Enoh assured President Tinubu would honour the players' wish, stating,
“The president will come. I can assure you the president will come.”
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to watch the team on television anymore but to come over to Ivory Coast and cheer them at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) January 25, 2024
Musa, who spoke on behalf of the Super Eagles players, said this… pic.twitter.com/Jb9ilIKkS4
As Nigeria prepare to face Cameroon at the Félix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday, January 27, for a spot in the quarterfinals, the Super Eagles remain determined to elevate their performance and meet the expectations of both their fans and President Tinubu.
