By Ephraim Nwosu
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has congratulated the Super Eagles following their qualification for the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
The NFF congratulated the team during their Executive Committee Board meeting at the NAUCTE-DEAL Hotel, Asaba, Delta State. Eagles secured the Nations Cup ticket with a hard fought 3-2 victory over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Monrovia, capital of Liberia last weekend.
Red hot Napoli of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen netted a first half brace to put Nigeria two goals up, but a goal in either half by the Leone Stars, pegged back the Super Eagles, before Kelechi Iheanacho scored a 95th-minute dramatic winner to seal the win for Nigeria, who regained top spot of Group A from Guinea Bissau, who are now second with 10 points, but have also qualified for the Afcon finals with a match to spare.
Despite Super Eagles victory over the Leone Stars, NFF however expressed dissatisfaction over the team’s commitment and said they are looking forward to seeing a new improved Super Eagles Nigerians will be proud of at the African biannual football fiesta to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire early next year.
“Following the team’s qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals with a match to spare, with the 3-2 victory over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Monrovia on Sunday, 18th June 2023, the Board congratulated the Super Eagles for their performance, but charged the team to show more zeal, cohesion and fierce dedication to national cause that will guarantee such a great outing at the finals that Nigerians will be proud of,” NFF stated in a communique made available to SportingSun on Thursday.
Algeria, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Zambia, Egypt, and Equatorial Guinea are the other nations that have qualified for the final tournament alongside Nigeria and Guinea Bissau.