Nigeria and Arsenal legend, Nwankwo Kanu, has commended the Super Eagles for qualifying for the quarterfinals of the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Alexandria on Saturday, Completesports.com reports.
Millions of television viewers saw Kanu sitting beside Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’O to watch the explosive encounter, and both former captains of their respective national teams were greatly animated as the Super Eagles and the Indomitable Lions took turns to score goals and lead. But Kanu was the one who had the victory celebration.
Papilo, as the leggy forward is called by his admirers, notes that the Gernot Rohr’s men demonstrated ‘great spirit’ in the comeback win, urging the three-time winners to keep up the good spirit in the remaining games of the tournament.
The Super Eagles knocked out the AFCON defending Champions and five-time winners to set up a quarterfinal clash against South Africa.
Odion Ighalo opened scoring in the 19th minute, after his shot was deflected in.
The Indomitable Lions fought back to lead 2-1 before the break, with goals from Stephane Bahoken and Clinton N’Jie.
However, the Super Eagles turned things around with two quick fire goals from Ighalo (63rd minute) and Alex Iwobi (66th minute).
Kanu urges the Super Eagles to keep up the good work, hailing the team for their great comeback win against the AFCON defending champions.
KANU tweeted on his Twitter platform: “Terrific Atmosphere down here in Egypt. Great comeback boys. Keep up the good spirits Super Eagles 🇳🇬. #afcon2019 #supereagles #goodfight #football #goodspirit #nigeria #africa.”
The Super Eagles will face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, July 10. Kickoff is 8pm Nigerian time.
South Africa edged out host nation Egypt to reach the quarterfinals.
By Sab Osuji
(pix: by Ganiyu Yusuf in Alexandria)
8 Comments
You are truly a great guy,papilo, while others including ex cricket internationals were castigating the team and coach, u kept faith in them and still believed they would bounce back and they eventually did it in grand style against the defending champions, against all odds. Bcs of ur good heart,Gods blessings will continue to be on you and your family.
He kept faith in the team not the coach.
SE deseves better.
Rhor must go! win or loose
I’ve got sniper for u…@cj
You are right cj am glad am not d only one thinking what am thinking, the truth is rohr should be sacked whether he wons the trophy or not the man is clueless and we’ve had enough of him but for the sake of Nigeria I just hope the super eagles lifts the trophy
You are right cj am glad am not d only one thinking what am thinking,
the truth is rohr should be sacked whether he wons the trophy or not the man is clueless and we’ve had enough of him
but for the sake of Nigeria I just hope the super eagles lifts the trophy
please, i have been looking for how to reach out to the coaching staff of easgles on the choice of goalkeeper for the game against south africa. akpeyi Daniel should not be in goal because the south African knew his weaknesses. he’s going to cause serious damage to the eagle’s afcon ambitions.
we can see that akpeyi Daniel is the majoe weakness in the team and with him, take it from me, eagles will lose. we need a confident keeper. i don’t have any choice among the available keepers on super eagles radar but, akpeyi is not capable of giving us the afcon gold.
Akpeyi doesn’t know when to come out help the defenders to clear the ball when the ball is in danger, poor timing,poor cordinations of his defenders,he jitters in post,he is not composed, ezenwa is better