…President Tinubu hails the Super Eagles
The Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire clinched the continent’s crown for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the third time in history.
Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire faced off in the final of the 2023 AFCON at Abidjan’s Ebimpé Olympic Stadium.
The Super Eagles’ captain, William Troost-Ekong, opened the scoring with a goal in the 38th minute.
The hosts pushed forward and levelled the score with a goal from Franck Kessié in the 62nd minute.
Finally, in the 81st minute, Borussia Dortmund’s Sebastien Haller struck again with a goal, breaking the hearts of Nigerians with just nine minutes of play remaining.
The Super Eagles could not make a comeback though they were increasingly looking like the most formidable team at the 2023 AFCON tournament.
The Super Eagles have lost five of eight AFCON finals now.
William Troost-Ekong was named the “Man of the Competition” as Nigeria finished second place in the tournament.
President Bola Tinubu has hailed the Super Eagles for their “hard work, assiduity, and sacrifice” to reach the AFCON final as well as their “tenacious performance” in the game against Côte d’Ivoire.
“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,” said the President.
