In the aftermath of the AFCON 2023 Finals which ended in favor of the Ivorians, President Tinubu has received the Silver Medalists in high spirits.
While speaking at the reception hosted in their honour, President Tinubu says the team demonstrated great resilience synonymous to the Nigerian fighting spirit. The President further handed out accolades to the head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, and the entire management team for their tenacity and perseverance throughout the tournament.
Speaking on the social media outburst after the loss, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to look at the bright side and not dwell so much on what would have been. He said,
“Let this passing event not dispirit us, but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love. To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow. Do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come through.”
President Tinubu
To further put smiles on the faces of the Super Eagles, the President conferred on each of them National Honours of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). Additional gifts to the Eagles included plots of lands, flats, etc.
Amongst the honored Super Eagles were Premier League club Fulham and Nigeria’s midfielder, Alex Iwobi, who was recently a victim of cyberbullying. He was thankfully in high spirits and bright as he posed for a picture with the President and other government officials. The Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa and the other players have since taken to social media to declare their solidarity with Iwobi.
Recall that Nigeria lost the chance at clinching her fourth AFCON title on 11th February 2024 when they lost to host Ivory Coast.