Sports
JUST IN: Tinubu receives Super Eagles at Aso Villa
By Francesca Hangeior
President Bola Tinubu is currently hosting Nigeria’s National football team, the Super Eagles at the State House Council Chambers.
This is coming barely 48 hours after they battled unsuccessfully for the top spot at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations against the host country Côte d’Ivoire.
In a statement he released after the match, Tinubu had commended the team, the coach, the crew and the entire management team for their “hard work, assiduity, and sacrifice to come this far in the tournament,” acknowledging the hurdles they consistently surpassed with steadily improving performance as they pulled through to the finals.
The President had urged Nigerians to be of good cheer, stressing that “we won a great victory in the hearts of Africa and the world by our grit, rigour, and determination in the field of play.”
“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 true,” Tinubu had said.
Details later…
Nigeria will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2026 World Cup playoff final on Sunday.
The winner of this game will represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff in March 2026.
The Super Eagles on Thursday, thrashed Gabon 4-1 in their semi-final game, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice in extra time.
In the second half of the day, DR Congo pulled off a surprise result, as they beat Cameroon 1-0.
Captain Chancel Mbemba headed in a late winner in stoppage time, to give his country a chance of qualifying for next year’s tournament.
The game will be played at the newly built Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
After over 120 minutes, Nigeria qualify for 2026 World Cup after pummelling Gabon national team 4-1 in Rabat , Morocco on Thursday.
Gangling Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen silenced the Gabonese scoring the third and fourth goal in the fourth stanza game which finished at a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Akor Adams put Nigeria ahead in the 78th minute, but just as the Super Eagles seemed poised for a 1-0 win, Mario Lemina struck for Gabon in the 89th minute, sending the match into extra time.
In extra time, Nigeria regained the lead when substitute Chidera Ejuke scored his first goal for the Super Eagles after 97 minutes.
Osimhen, who squandered a great chance to win the match at the end of regular time, firing wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat, atoned on 102 minutes, firing across goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba into the far corner after being set up by Benjamin Fredrick.
He struck again on 110 minutes, controlling a long pass before once again beating Mbaba with a shot into the far corner.
The winner will advance to the play-off final to face either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
After over 120 minutes, Nigeria qualify for 2026 World Cup after pummelling Gabon national team 4-1 in Rabat , Morocco on Thursday.
Gangling Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen silenced the Gabonese scoring the third and fourth goal in the fourth stanza game which finished at a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
In the 78th minute Adam scored the opener for Nigeria and the Gabonese equalised in the 89th minute.
Details shortly….
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