Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ibrahim Gusau has said the Super Eagles win against AFCON 2023 hosts Côte d’Ivoire will lead to more success.
The Eagles shocked the Ivorians 1-0 to record their first win in Group A.
Vice captain, William Troost-Ekong, converted a 55th minute penalty following a foul on Victor Osimhen.
It is the first time ever the Eagles will beat the Ivorians on their home soil.
Addressing the players, Gusau said:”I believe it’s the opening of success to come by the grace of God because playing with the host country and getting the result at that very critical moment is very important for this kind of tournament.
“The government even declared public holiday just for that match, in the opening match even the president of the country was at the stadium they were only able to mobilize 36,000 fans.
“But for Thursday’s match it was 49,700 fans which will tell you how serious they took the match and with God on our side and with the character that you people showed, because every single Nigerian including the president of the country, through the Minister of Sport, sent his greetings to you.
“Everybody is happy about it and by the grace of God this is the beginning and it has opened the door for more success.
Gusau added:“The most important thing is we have gone two matches, we don’t have injuries, everybody is happy.“
The Eagles will be back in action on Monday, 22 January for their final group game against Guinea-Bissau.
9 Comments
Thanks Mr. Minister. Tge fact still remains that the Eagles, going by history, are slow starters who eventually grow into the big stage dictating the pace. This is exactly what we shall be seeing from henceforth. Good luck proud Nigerians
Super Eagle must be humble , then must play any match as final , they should leave complacency and lax on any match , so they should tighten their oars to cross the sea; I recommend the veteran coach Peseiro from up to now should take on 3-4-3 as a successful defencive choice for SE, this will help them to go on this tournament especially when they meet big teams like Senegal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Eagypt, so I think this strategy can lead SE to the final match , then SE can do it again….
You are right @Hassan.
Good morning house I just read on online news paper punch that nnf board had been sacked, please any information on this.
Why una dey take this Ivory coast win as if una don win the tournament itself.. i bet you this squad can’t survive senegal with what I saw against ivory coast..I ave never seen where a team is winning and is scared. I wasn’t that impressed. I mean gone are the days duringthe time of their amokachi. The super eagles always playing with pride and always courageous taking the battle to their opponent but now the reverse is the case…
Una just dey make mouth anyhow instead of thinking how to survive senegal, Morocco incase una meet them for front…
No be small, Nigerians are so deprived of any good news that a mediocre performance by its fumbling team is cause for joy. The ivorian team is not that good and winning by penalty is no great achievement.
Gusau just fall my hand. I read you berated the players after they fluffed their lines against Equatorial guinea and you threatened them with no future call-ups if they are not enthusiastic to don eagles jersies.
I commended you for that to distance yourself from the pinnick era.
When you for still dey form “vex” so that the players go turn up again so as not to lose their spots, you go their dressing room to praise them.
Why? What wrong signals you have passed to them. That is embarrassing because they no go turn up again as you don become their paddy.
I guess the players would mock you to scorn after you left.
Monkey Post and Mikee the Ivorian eam is big one , with big players spread at big clubs in Europe , they have strong forwards as I saw them versus Guinea Bissau, Super Eagles have pedigree in this tournament don’t forget it, have reached six final then have won three , and have reached seven third place with bronze medal , don’t forget these achivements which have realized.