… Federal govt promises to reward Super Eagles
… as Obaseki hails triumphant Super Eagles
Nigeria President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday evening hailed the Super Eagles for their prowess over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a 4-2 penalty victory after a 1-1 draw in regulation time to clinch the first ticket to the African Cups of Nations (AFCON) 2023 final in Cote D’Ivoire.
In a post on his official Instagram handle @officialasiwajubat, the President said: “From the Southernmost cape of Africa to the Plains of and the coast of West Africa….You have made us all Proud to be Nigerians.
“Go… Soar in the AFCON Finals. Well done, boys!”
Also on Wednesday, the media assistant to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, in a release after the semi-final match between Nigeria’s Supper Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa, said the presence of Shettima at the Bouake venue of the AFCON match served as a significant source of inspiration for the Nigerian team.
On his part, the Vice President of Nigeria Alhaji Kashim Shettima in the company of other top government officials visited the Super Eagles and witnessed their semifinal match against South African’s Bafana Bafana on Wednesday, at the Stade de la Paix in Ivory Coast.
The game which ended with a 4-2 penalty victory after a 1-1 full-time score saw an impressive performance from the Super Eagles and this has earned them Favours in the eyes of Nigerians including the Presidency.
Heroic saves from the Nigerian Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and energetic performance from his team members have attracted several rewards.
A post on the Super Eagles Official X page (formerly known as Twitter), reads: “The Federal Govt has promised to reward the Super Eagles for their commitment and dedication in reaching the final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in CIV.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima told the players and their officials in the dressing room, following their hard-fought victory over South Africa in the semifinals on Wednesday, that the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria are proud of their accomplishment.
The VP was in company with Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Minister for Youth, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim, as well as Oil mogul Wale Tinubu, FIFA Council Member Amaju Pinnick, and NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
It would be recalled that the Super Eagles had received cash rewards from Dangote who gave the Jose Peseiro side N100 million for going past Angola and reaching the AFCON semifinal. It was also reported that the Bayelsa State Government had already donated $40,000 to the team, which has already been shared, while Zenith Bank gave them a cash gift of N40 million.
As the Super Eagles prepare to battle host country Ivory Coast on Sunday for the $7 million Champions reward, more other cash rewards are expected to troupe in.
The Nigerian Observer Sports earlier reported that the Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana semifinal head-to-head battle witnessed a stunning end to regulation time as the Super Eagles led 1-0, and thought they had scored a second, before VAR intervened and awarded South Africa a penalty. Teboho Mokoena scored to send the game into extra time, however, Nigeria recovered to grab the victory on penalties.
In the exciting and suspenseful “clash of the titans” the Super Eagles of Nigeria humbled their South African counterparts. The game saw a goalless first 45 minutes as Nigeria dominated the territory early on but struggled to pick holes in South Africa’s well-organized rearguard.
The second 45 minutes was much more thrilling and saw a major comeback from both teams. In the 63rd minute, Nigeria’s hitman Victor Osimhen was tackled in the South African penalty box resulting in a Penalty for the Super Eagles. William Troost-Ekong converted the penalty to a Goal in the 66th minute giving the Super Eagles a lead in the game.
The Jose Pesiero side tried to double the score line after another goal came in the 85th minute by Victor Osimhen but it was cancelled following a VAR check.
The Bafana Bafana equalized in the 88th minute after Teboho Mokoena leveled the game from the penalty spot. Then, in the final minute of added time, Khuliso Mudau had a wide-open opportunity to snatch a dramatic, last-gasp winner and put South Africa through. Instead, he skied the chance, and Nigeria survived by a whisker, the match heading to extra-time.
After a goalless 30 minutes, which saw South African Grant Kekana shown a red card, it advanced to a penalty shootout, where Ronwen Williams couldn’t quite duplicate his quarterfinal heroics.
Nigeria advanced to the finals after scoring 4 out of their 5 spot kicks. Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, and Kelechi Iheanacho gave the Super Eagles the win even though Ola Aina threw wide his goal chance.
The game ended with a triumphant 4-2 win after Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) missed his penalty attempt and Nigerian shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali caught that of South African Evidence Makgopa which brings the Nigerian goalkeeper to the spotlight again.
Victor Osimhen has not looked the threat he is in Serie A. The Super Eagles forward is not only the best striker in Africa, he is the best player in Africa, and having him should be a decisive advantage for Nigeria in the ongoing AFCON 2023.
Nigeria take on Cote d’Ivoire, the host nation, in Sunday’s final. The clash is a repeat of a group stage match earlier in the tournament, where the Super Eagles won that tie 1-0 thanks to a penalty from stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong.
Player of the match, Nigeria’s shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali was Solid in the breathtaking game and saved two penalties in the shoot-out.
Player Rating:
Super Eagles: Nwabali 8, Aina 6, Troost-Ekong 7, Ajayi 7, Bassey 7, Iwobi 5, Onyeka 7, Osayi-Samuel 6, Simon 6, Osimhen 7, Lookman 6. Subs: Yusuf 6, Chukwueze 6, Aribo 6, Iheanacho 6, Moffi 6, Omeruo 6.
Bafana Bafana: Williams 7, Kekana 6, Xulu 6, Mvala 6, Modiba 6, Mokoena 7, Sithole 6, Zwane 6, Mudau 7, Makgopa 7, Tau 7. Subs: Mayambela 6, Lepasa 6, Sibisi 6.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the semi-final match of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“I heartily congratulate our darling Super Eagles for their victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
“The Super Eagles were a better team, displaying formidable skills, resilience, strength, and determination throughout the match, securing a ticket to the finals of the competition after their 4-2 score line on penalties.
“The team is just inches away from their fourth continental trophy and we are confident that they will bring the laurel home. Congratulations, champs,” Obaseki remarked.
