President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations following the score draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Johannesburg Saturday.
The President, according to a statement by Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, joins millions of football-loving Nigerians in commending the team for their spirited and disciplined performance against a very formidable opponent which earned them qualification with the final match against Seychelles a mere formality.
“Having keenly followed the senior national football team’s progress in the qualifying stages, President Buhari is enthused by their confidence, sense of patriotism and professionalism, and commends these attributes to other Nigerians.
He equally commends the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Supporters Club, especially Nigerians residing in South Africa who turned out in great numbers to cheer the players, for a job well-done, and assures them of the unflinching support of the Federal Government going forward.
The President wished the young Nigerian football ambassadors more successes as they prepare for the AFCON tournament in Cameroon.
Also, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki and the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) Oby Ezekwesili have praised the Nigerian Super Eagles for securing qualification for the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday.
The Eagles forced host the Bafana Bafana of South Africa to 1-1 draw in the Group E game at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg to book a place for the continental football tournament with a game in hand. The 2019 edition will be hosted by defending champions Cameroon. The Eagles, who are three-time champions of the Nations Cup have missed the last two editions, following their non- qualification.
Atiku took to his Twitter handle @Atiku saying “congratulations @NGSuperEagles for qualifying for 2019#AFCON. We will be here to cheer you to victory in the coming tournament.”
In the same vein Saraki took to his Twitter handle @BukolaSaraki to congratulate @NGSuperEagles on qualifying for #AFCON 2019. ” You have made us all proud “, the President of the Senate said.
Former Minister of Education, Ezekwesili also took to her Twitter handle @ObyEzekwesili to praise @NGSuperEagles. ” Huge congratulations to our @NGSuperEagles who have confirmed their spot at #AFCON_2019. Your cheering compatriots are counting on you to go a step ahead and continue working hard to bring the cup home once again “, she said.
With the results, Nigeria has booked a place amongst teams expected to participate at the Continental football event coming up in Cameroon, early next year.
Tony Ailemen and Innocent Odoh, Abuja
