Secretary to the federal government of Nigeria, Boss Mustapaha on Friday received the delegation of players, coaches and officials of the Super Eagles on their return from the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, and stated during a ceremony at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja that the country is proud of the team’s bronze winning achievement.
Although many Nigerian soccer fans are still critical of the Eagles’ inability to reach the final at Egypt 2019, Mustapha praised the squad, which was flown back home aboard a chartered Air Peace aircraft that landed in Abuja at 10.40am.
In response, Eagles’ stand-in captain, Ahmed Musa thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government for the support given to the team before, during and after AFCON 2019, promising that the players will all endeavour to do better at the next championship.
Megasportsarena.com gathered that the Eagles’ delegation was led back home by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) first vice-president, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, alongside second vice-president, Mallam Shehu Dikko and general-secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, with some members of the executive committee and officials.
Mustapha led a delegation that included Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) president, Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel, Ministry of Youth and Sports’ permanent secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, directors led by Mrs Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi as well as NFF management staff, led by deputy general-secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and director of competitions, Mr. Bola Oyeyode, who coordinated the reception arrangement.
In his remarks during the reception, Mustapha said the Government of Nigeria was appreciative of the Eagles’ efforts in finishing third in a 24-team AFCON, the biggest in the championship’s long history.
Mustapha said: “We commend you for finishing third best in the whole of the African continent.
“We all wanted the first position but this is football where things sometimes do not go as you plan.
“The Government of Nigeria is quite happy with your level of discipline and professionalism and how you comported yourselves creditably as Nigerian ambassadors.
“The fighting spirit and resilience you demonstrated in Egypt is a reflection of the never-say-die spirit of the Nigerian.
“We want you to keep it up. I congratulate the technical crew led by Coach Gernot Rohr, the players and the staff of the team.
“I also wish to congratulate the captain of the team, Mikel Obi that we heard has now retired from international football.
“We wish him well and thank him immensely for his many years of excellent, patriotic service to the nation.”
