Babajide Sanwo Olu, the Lagos State Governor has called the Super Eagles the ‘unifier’ of Nigerians while charging them to believe in themselves as they demonstrate the undying spirit of Nigerians in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said this when he hosted the team to a special dinner at Lagos House, Marina on Tuesday evening before the team’s departure to Cote-de-Ivoire for the AFCON Competition, which commences on Saturday.
According to Vanguard, he said, “You are our country’s unifier, as much as we will be putting pressure on you during the matches, Nigerians expect you to do that (unifying spirit) for us. We believe we have the men who can do it for us.
“People might say we don’t have a team, it’s another thing to believe in yourself, and once you believe in yourself and as a team, we are on that track already, no matter the obstacles, no matter the fuel price facing the country, but just to go out there and demonstrate your undying spirit as Nigerian with a total of two hundred and 20 million people in the country and the Diaspora are right behind you.
“And this is how you can write your names in gold forever. And I want to assure you that this number (220 million Nigerians) is behind you in support.
“We know you have a sense of patronage and patriotism, let that be your driving force. Let it encourage you that for our country at the moment we need this unifier. We need peace, we need sports as a healing tool for us, (Nigerians).
“We need that cup to be a succour, that would energize us and bring together all of the yearnings of this country. And pray God gives you the strength bro achieve this.
“You should qualify and make sure that you don’t give up. You could be in the first half is not what you want, to give up. It could get to 70 minutes, do t give up.
“You could see 80 minutes, don’t give up. You have to have that belief that until the whistle blows you still have an opportunity and that’s how life is.
“Because when we want to say that we will do it again is not by mouth alone, it’s about that team’s spirit and commitment. Just know that over 222 million Nigerians are behind you.”
The Governor made it clear that the Super Eagles carry the hopes of a nation on their shoulders and encouraged them to play with passion, unity, and determination to bring the cup home.
Also in attendance were: the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh, as the Minister of Sports Development, Chairman of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, among others.
Meanwhile, the National Television Authority, NTA, on Wednesday announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Afro Sports for the transmission of 52 matches of AFCON after Multi-choice revealed on Wednesday that it has failed to acquire the broadcasting rights for AFCON.
