President Bola Tinubu has delivered a stern message to the Super Eagles, urging them to step up their game as they enter the crucial knockout stages of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
Addressing the players via Zoom on Wednesday night, Tinubu, represented by Sports Minister John Enoh, expressed disappointment with the team’s performance in the group stage.
He said, “I had a meeting with the President yesterday. I went to the villa for something else and the President cornered me and said we (Eagles) managed to qualify and I said that’s how we are going to keep going until we win the tournament.
“He said that I should tell the players that he wasn’t too impressed with the last match but he knows that now that they are off the group stages, they are going to impress him more.
“That’s what the President told me and it means that the President is actually watching your matches. Would you believe this? And the President is urging you and also showing an understanding of the game because he knows that there is a lot of caution at the group stage and from the round of 16, you are going to be more impressive.
“I remember that in 2022 in Cameroon, Egypt as a country struggled to qualify but they went ahead to play the finals.”
President Tinubu’s message is a wake-up call for the Super Eagles. It serves as a reminder of the immense expectations placed upon them as national representatives and the millions of Nigerians who follow their every step. The knockout stage presents a fresh opportunity to redeem themselves and showcase their true potential.
