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President Bola Tinubu has praised the Super Eagles for their display in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final in Ivory Coast.
Despite their loss to the host nation, Tinubu said the Eagles demonstrated resilience and talent at the tournament.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday.
The Elephants of Ivory Coast emerged victorious in the 2023 CAF African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final after beating Super Eagles 2-1.
Tinubu added that Nigeria has won a great victory in the heart of Africa and the world at large.
The statement read, “President Bola Tinubu salutes the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their tenacious performance in the final of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
“President Tinubu commends 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 urges Nigerians to be of good cheer, emphasizing 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.”
The president, however, urged Nigerians not to be demoralised, saying, “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.”
Following the Super Eagles 2-1 loss against hosts Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigerians have faulted the team for reserving their worse performance for the most important game despite raising hopes with their run during the tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
After captain William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria a lead into the break with a header in the 37th minute, the hosts fought back in the second half, producing two goals courtesy of Frank Kessie and Sebastien Haller to win their third title.
Kessie found the equaliser in the 61st minute with a header while Haller, scored the winner and his second goal of the tournament with a poke in between Nigerian defenders with nine minutes left to play.
Despite the final changes made by coach Jose Peseiro, the Eagles couldn’t find the inspiration to come back into the game, missing the chance to win a fourth AFCON title, just like their failures in 1984, 1988 1990 and 2000.
Nigerians were left unimpressed by the team’s poor performance.
“Ivory Coast fully deserve this win. Unfortunately, the Super Eagles saved their worst performance for the final,” journalist, Nurudeen Obalaola remarked.
Another journalist, Wale Agbede also said, “Ivory Coast have been poor in this tournament, yet we somehow made them look so good. Letting them take control of the midfield and also cross at will.”
Others also blamed the players for their lack of sheer individua brilliance in the final.
“Lookman totally off, Iwobi is like he’s not there, Zaidu calamity even Aina is a shadow of himself. This parking the bus was always going to backfire,” A broadcast journalist, Benjamin Okenna also noted.
A brand and marketing enthusiast, Seun Odegbami also said the Eagles rode on luck throughout the tournament.
“Now I can finally speak my mind about the Super Eagles. The fact that the teams they played with in the group stage were fairly good was an advantage for us. If they played the tougher teams first, we wouldn’t have entered the quarter-finals.”
It’s the fifth AFCON final Nigeria will lose, and this year’s loss is similar to the 1984 edition, also in Ivory Coast when the Eagles were beaten 3-1 in the final by Cameroon.
Having reached the final eight times, Nigeria have won only three AFCON titles thanks to successes in 1980, 1994 and 2013. Despite Nigeria having the most podium finishes in the history of the tournament, they have not been able to make it count over the years, having also finished third on eight occasions.
Nigeria coach; Jose Peseiro has announced his starting eleven for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations against host Ivory Coast.
The team will heading to the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, for the encounter.
Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi has returned to the team after passing a late fitness test, having missed the semi final against South Africa.
The other change in the lineup sees Samuel Chukwueze replacing Moses Simon.
Stanley Nwabali retained his place in between the sticks with Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey keeping their spots in defence.
Alex Iwobi, despite criticisms from fans who believe his work rate is poor, starts in the midfield alongside Frank Onyeka.
Victor Osimhen will lead the attack with Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze coming in from the wings.
The Super Eagles will file out in what looks like a 3-4-3 formation.
Nigeria’s XI: Nwabali; Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Aina, Zaidu, Onyeka, Iwobi; Lookman, Chukwueze, Osimhen.
The final match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will kick off by 9pm Nigeria time.
AFCON 2023 final: It’s won’t be easy – Peseiro reveals how Super Eagles can defeat Cote d’Ivoire
AdminSuper Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has said the Nigerian team must put in their best to win the African Cup of Nation, AFCON, tournament.
This was as Peseiro noted that winning the AFCON would not be easy for the Super Eagles.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the Super Eagles tactician expressed his desire to beat Cote d’Ivoire and lift the 2023 AFCON.
Super Eagles and their Cote d’Ivoire counterpart will clash at 9pm at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.
“It’s the final, good atmosphere, with a full stadium. Our players know that it is not easy to win the AFCON and they must put in their best to win.
“Playing a final is always important. This is my first AFCON. Some were saying it’s been special, and I can attest to that.
“The emotions in Africa are very special. All of this in my opinion is a great way to learn and I would love to win it with the Nigerian team,” Peseiro said.
The semi-final match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday, February 7, at the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’ivoire, ended with a combination of joy and sadness for Nigerians.
DAILY POST reported that at the last count, five Nigerians reportedly dropped dead while watching the match; a development that has left many in utter bewilderment as to how men, who were healthy before the match, could suddenly cave in to death following the tension and anxiety generated by the football match.
Before the match, hopes and expectations were high among Nigerian fans, who wanted nothing but victory.
However, events took a somber turn when the anticipated victory did not come as quickly as expected. Five persons were reported to have died as a result of the tension that characterized the fiasco, before Nigeria eventually snatched victory away from the South Africans through penalty shoot-outs.
But then, it was already late, because the deed had been done; five men were already gone to the world beyond.
The first casualty came when the South African team was awarded a penalty kick against Nigeria towards the end of the game, while the other ones happened when the match got to the penalty shoot-outs. Those were the reported figures; there could be others whose deaths were not reported, probably in the hinterlands.
However, first on the roll call was a former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State, Dr Cairo Ojougboh. He was said to have journeyed to the world beyond when a penalty was awarded against Nigeria.
According to the report, as soon as the South African team scored against Nigeria, Ojougboh screamed, then collapsed, and died immediately.
Again, a deputy bursar at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, also suffered a similar fate watching the tension-soaked encounter. According to sources, he died while watching the match at a viewing centre in Sango area of Ilorin metropolis.
“Abdullahi watched the game till the end of the extra time, before he felt uncomfortable and was rushed to a private hospital in the area, where he, unfortunately, gave up the ghost.
“The deputy bursar watched the match from the beginning till the end of the extra time. When it was time for the penalty kick, he complained that he was feeling frenzy, and needed to go back home to rest. He never knew that his blood pressure level had gone up.
“So, on getting home, he collapsed, and he was rushed to a private hospital in Sango, from where he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. But, before he could be attended to at the teaching hospital, he died,” a source volunteered.
Also, a serving member of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), simply identified as Samuel, was equally reported to have slumped and died while watching the match.
According to witnesses, the Kaduna-born corps member died before the last shootout that launched Nigeria into the final stage of the competition.
“We lost one Nigerian a few minutes ago during our victory celebration over South Africa today at our sport viewing centre here in Numan, Adamawa State.
“The Corps member who is serving in Numan, from Kaduna State has slumped before the kick-off of the winning goal. He died before they could reach the hospital in Numan; may his soul rest in peace,” the witness said.
The NYSC Coordinator in Adamawa State, Jingi Dennis, said the corps member was confirmed dead at the General Hospital in Numan.
“According to his colleagues who went with him to watch the match, the late corps member told the people around him that he did not like watching penalty shootouts. He then bowed his head, and suddenly collapsed.
“He was confirmed dead at the General Hospital in Numan by the doctor,” the coordinator said.
There was also a man said to be working as a sales representative with a multi-national manufacturing company in Nigeria, who equally slumped and died as he was watching the semi-final football encounter in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The man, aged 43, and identified as Mikail Osundiji, was said to have died out of shock after the central referee nullified Nigeria‘s second goal by striker Victor Osimhen against the South Africans.
Checks revealed that the late Osun-born Osundiji, who was a father of two, did not show any sign of sickness before he showed up at the football viewing centre located at the Federal Housing Estate (FHE) in Olomoore axis of Abeokuta metropolis to watch the match.
His elder sister, Mrs. Adetunji Nofisat, who spoke to journalists, explained that Osundiji suddenly breathed out heavily after the cancellation of Nigeria’s second goal, lowered his head, and fell to the ground at the football viewing centre.
“That was when other people at the football viewing centre rushed to him and took him to one of the private hospitals in Olomoore before the doctor on duty pronounced him dead,” she stated.
There was also a report about the death of an Anambra-born billionaire, Chief Osondu Nwoye, resident in Ivory Coast, who allegedly died while watching the same semifinal match between Nigeria and South Africa.
A major motor spare parts dealer and CEO of Group Auto Promotion Cote d‘Ivoire, Nwoye, who lives in Ivory Coast, according to report, was shouting on top of his voice when the Nigerian star striker, Victor Osihmen, scored the second goal, which was later cancelled by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
It was alleged that the shock of seeing the goal cancelled, and the subsequent penalty that was awarded against Nigeria, was too much for him to bear.
He subsequently collapsed in the stadium, and was immediately rushed to the hospital, but all efforts to revive him failed, as the doctor pronounced him dead.
So, even as most Nigerians were jubilating over the eventual victory of the Super Eagles over their counterparts in South Africa, it was such a mournful moment for family and friends of the deceased.
While some have described what happened as one of the mysteries of life, which can end any time, others would want to look at it from the health status of the victims before the ugly incident.
The Medical Director, Hosanna Hospital, Festac, Lagos, Dr. Chikodi Onyemkpa, is among those who would want to view their deaths from the medical angle, rather than one of life’s mysteries.
He expressed doubt if that was the first time such had happened.
“Frankly, there is nothing strange about it. However, individuals that know they have health challenges like high blood pressure are encouraged not to get into extreme situations like watching football matches which they have interest in,” he advised.
Onyemkpa also expressed fear that the economic situation in Nigeria that was gradually going in the direction of violent confrontation was not helping matters.
According to him, if it continued, many people would still die not because they got into the street, but because the news of what happened in the street was coming to them.
He went biblical to explain how bad news could contribute to what had happened when he said: “For those that read their Bible, they should remember that it was bad news that killed Prophet Eli. It was bad news that caused Prophet Eli’s daughter-in-law to have premature delivery. So, what has happened is not new.”
However, viewing the development from the medical prism, Dr Onyemkpa said the medical connection to what had happened was that there was extreme excitement which the heart couldn’t just handle.
He likened what happened during the match which led to the unfortunate incident to running a 100 metres race, saying, “Have you ever done a 100-metre-race and discovered that you were struggling to breathe; you were panting excessively? There is a threshold that your heart will be able to handle.”
“If the emergency management chemicals in your body get produced at a level that is beyond the coping capacity of your heart to handle, then there will be a sudden event that will be disastrous; that’s the thing,” he told DAILY POST.
He stressed that the heart couldn’t just cope with the stress of the excitement that characterized the match.
“When there is an emergency, your body gets into what is called a fight flight mode; that is either you fight or you run. For your body to get into that mode, a chemical substance called adrenaline is injected into your blood immediately, telling your body either to run for life or to fight for your life.
“So, that sudden event of prepping your body for that is also associated with the heart picking up. That’s why when there is a gunshot by your window, suddenly your heart will start racing, meanwhile you are sitting down in your house.
“Your heart will be racing as if you have done a 100-metre-race; that is what happens. So, when there is sudden news, your heart picks up, either to run away from danger or fight to extricate yourself from danger.
“That protocol is managed by a chemical substance called adrenalin. And what adrenalin will also do is that your heart will start racing and your eyes become sharp, and you just want to automatically, without thinking, respond that way. So, if the heart is not able to take that load of responsibility, then there is a problem,” he said.
He also made an analogy with starting a car engine to explain how the heart works and what happens in certain situations of one’s health condition.
He said: “You start a car, you rev the engine and all that before you start to run. Some cars are said to be very good because you just start the engine and you touch your leg on the accelerator and it will move from zero rpm to about 6000 revolutions per a minute. Those are fantastic engines.
“But, you put your foot on some engines, and they cannot do more than 2000 revolutions per minute. The other one might be up to 6000 per minute. So, the one that can handle a bigger pressure, you say it is a better engine. And the one that cannot handle as much as 6000, you say it is not that sharp an engine. So, what it is now is that you have injected adrenalin and you are expecting an engine that can only do 2000rpm to do 6000 and it packs up; that is all.”
To prevent future occurrence of the sad incident, he advised that “people should know their health status before engaging in any activity that is tension-filled and emotion-laden, like watching football, especially one that is as important as the Nation’s Cup, involving the nation’s football team.
“So, if you know your health, you will know the level of pressure you can handle. This is not the first time that people have been advised not to watch explosive matches if they know they cannot handle the pressure.
“Wait for the match to be over and you can watch the replay.
“And even when you are watching the replay of the penalties of the match between Nigeria and South Africa, it still looks as if you are watching the event alive, but then, the tension is less because you already know what the result is.”
For the Consultant Cardiologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Dr Ramon Moronkola, the spate of deaths while watching football matches could be attributed to either heart attack or stroke.
“For people that develop heart failure, for example, or those that have had what is called Ischemic Heart Disease, which is a kind of blockage in their heart, any form of excitement can lead to heart attack,” Moronkola said.
He also noted that grief or excitement could cause such deaths, particularly if there was an underlying medical case that was diagnosed or even undiagnosed.
The medical doctor told DAILY POST that, “People can die suddenly as a result of grief or excitement. For those who die as a result of excitement, usually, there is an underlying cardiovascular issue, either known or unknown to the individual.
“Some people are also prone to developing what is called arrhythmias when there is an emotional surge. Arrhythmias means that the heart is beating abnormally and goes into an abnormal rhythm, and that can also lead to sudden death.”
The President of the Nigerian Cardiac Society, Prof Augustine Odili, had this to say: “The possibility is that they might have had what people call heart attack, which is known to be caused by the expression of emotions.
“Again, it is also important to talk about how each of them died, and at what point. Two of them, I learnt, died when the Nigerian player scored a goal and the goal was disqualified and then South Africa scored and the penalty shootout,” he told our correspondent.
He also agreed with Dr Onyemkpa on the need for people to know their health status before engaging in any activity that would cause so much excitement or emotion as a way of preventing such sad developments in the future.
He noted that apart from everyone undergoing regular health checks, there should be provisions for immediate resuscitation.
“There is nothing that can be beyond regular checks. Even if you have no symptoms and don’t feel any pain, it is good to check. It is when there is no war that you prepare for war.
“So, even if you have no symptoms, and you are not sick, it is good to have regular checks, so that you can detect any underlying issue. That is the only way forward.
“Try regular health checks so that you can know what your background condition is and manage it appropriately. If you have high blood pressure that is not controlled and you have an emotional surge, your blood pressure will go through the roof compared to someone whose blood pressure is well controlled,” he advised.
In his contribution a Consultant Psychologist, LASUTH, Dr Leonard Okonkwo also aligned with the earlier speakers that the people who died watching the football match between Nigeria and South Africa, probably, had one disease or the other around their heart.
To prevent future occurrences, he also called for regular medical checks so that people could know their medical status.
He told DAILY POST that, “Many times, people have these conditions without knowing. Watching a match that is full of tension and emotion, it is very normal for the blood pressure to go far beyond what the heart can handle, and when that happens, the heart packs up, leading to sudden death.
“What has happened is not unusual because football is a sport that is full of emotions, particularly when Nigeria is involved at that stage.
“For the match to have got into the penalty kick, it built a lot of anxieties even for people who don’t have hypertension.”
“So, people should just know their health status to avoid this kind of situation in future and that can only be done through regular medical check-ups,” he stressed.
[DailyPost]
Cote d’Ivoire forward, Sebastien Haller has said the Super Eagles will face a different Elephants side on Sunday.
The two teams will clash in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, at the Alassanne Quattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan.
Nigeria defeated the hosts 1-0 earlier in the competition.
Centre-back William Troost-Ekong scored the decisive goal from the spot in the second half.
Haller is however upbeat they can beat the Super Eagles this time around.
“It’s an advantage to both Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire because we faced each other in the group stage so we know each other well,” the striker said at a press conference on Saturday.
“However, the approach to a knock-out game will be different from a group stage game.”
As curtain draws on the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in Ivory Coast, with the Super Eagles of Nigeria facing the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, airfare to the West African country has hit the rooftop, dashing the hope of many Nigerians who planned to fly to the country to watch the match, check by Daily Trust on Sunday reveals.
Daily Trust on Sunday reports that there has been an outcry over the high airfare to Abidjan, which is less than one hour, 30 minutes from Lagos.
Nigeria’s Air Peace, Asky and Air Côte d’Ivoire, are few of the airlines flying to Abidjan.
Checks by our correspondent revealed that a one-way ticket from the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) costs between N890,000 to N1.2million, while a return ticket costs over N2m, depending on the airline.
A check on the website of Asky yesterday showed that a one-way fare is 1,229,811 for Sunday’s flight when the final match would be played, while the same flight costs N890,000.
On Air Côte d’Ivoire, the flight was priced at $913, which is over N1.3m at N1,450 to a dollar.
Yesterday, a Professor of Law, Joy Ezeilo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), decried the price of flight ticket to Abidjan, saying she dreamt of watching the AFCON match live but was shocked with the price of the return ticket, which is estimated at over N2.1m.
She wrote, “I am dreaming of watching AFCON 2024 live and I enquired about flights to Abidjan to watch our Super Eagles play in the final. I believed that Ivory Coast, being so close (an hour and 35 minutes) wouldn’t cost me too much. However, my travel agent of over 20 years sent me a price quotation of N2,183,000.00, which was a huge shock. I did the math and realised that I would need to save my five months’ salary as a Professor of Law on the last professional step to buy one return ticket to a West African country.
“This is a sad reflection of our current economic realities. Please refrain from attempting to convert to US dollars, it is extremely depressing and demystifying of a full professor position. This will push the resolve of brilliant young ones we are training and mentoring to take over from us farther away from the classrooms to becoming political aspirants/election delegates.
She, however, pointed out that she had made an alternative plan which includes recharging her DSTV at N19,800, and to buy 20 litres of fuel to generate power because they didn’t have electricity during the semifinal match.
“The struggle continues! Good luck to our Super Eagles! You are in my thoughts and prayers,” she stated.
However, an aviation management consultant, Babatunde Adeniji, said with the huge demand for flight to Abidjan, the value of a seat on the route also increased.
“Demand and supply of must-watch mean that each seat becomes so much more valuable. The demand and supply principle states that because of this final match, which is coming up just once, the value of your seat has gone up. If you throw a bid now on a 120-seat aircraft for all Nigerians to bid for seats, you know some people would bid much more than this amount you are even talking about, and that’s what is happening with ticketing,” he said.
[DailyPost]
After a month of intense competition, a new champion will be crowned later today (Sunday) as the curtains are drawn on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when host Ivory Coast rekindles their rivalry with Nigeria in the final of the tournament at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
The final, which kicks off at 9 pm Nigerian time, will be a rematch of both teams’ Group A encounter earlier in the tournament where the Super Eagles emerged victorious by a lone goal on matchday two, but today’s game offers both teams the chance to lift the trophy.
Following their 1-0 win in the group stages over Ivory Coast, Nigeria will be looking to beat the same opponents twice in an AFCON tournament for the first time since 2006, when they beat Senegal in the group stage and third-place play-off.
The Eagles are seeking their fourth AFCON title, while the Ivoirians aim to win Africa’s biggest continental football showpiece for a third time on home soil, having last won the continental title nine years earlier.
The Elephants’ 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on matchday 1 proved crucial, with the three points won from that game just enough to take them to the round of 16 as one of the four best third-place finishers after losing to Nigeria and then Equatorial Guinea. The latter crushed Ivory Coast 4-0 to inflict their heaviest ever home and Nations Cup defeat, which sealed their coach Jean-Louis Gasset’s fate.
But much has changed for the Ivory Coast since then under new coach Emerse Fae, with the hosts surmounting obstacles when hope seemed to be lost and they now appear to have momentum just like Jose Peseiro’s Eagles heading into the decider in Abidjan later tonight.
The Ivoirians edged defending champions Senegal 5-4 on penalties after extra time scores ended 1-1 in the round of 16, beat Mali 2-1 in the quarter-final and the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in last Wednesday’s semi-final.
For the Eagles, they made their way to the final on the back of solid defending, conceding only two goals and keeping four clean sheets in their victories over the Ivoirians (1-0), Guinea-Bissau (1-0), Cameroon (2-0) and Angola (1-0).
In the semi-finals, their 4-2 win over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa via penalties came down to the outstanding defending before the shootout with on-field captain William Troost-Ekong and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerging as the heroes for the team, coming to the fore during multiple moments of pressure.
The duo alongside Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi, who is a doubt, will have to hold their nerves one more time in the final against an Ivorian side seeking redemption in front of their home fans.
According to Ivory Coast coach, Fae, both teams are on the same level and Sunday’s final offers the Elephants an opportunity to prove their class once again despite their group-stage loss to Nigeria.
“The fact that Nigeria had beaten us is a good thing because we know whom we are up against,” he said in Saturday’s pre-match conference monitored by our correspondent.
He added, “How we prepare for the match with our players is critical. I think that the Eagles and ourselves are at the same level.
“We have a great opportunity tomorrow (Sunday) and we are 90 minutes away from adding a third star to the Ivorian jersey. The teams are on equal footing, psychologically.”
He also added that the game would be won from a tactical perspective.
He added, “As the competition has progressed, the Nigerian team has gained strength. We had a very difficult journey at the beginning, but we gained momentum from the round of 16 against Senegal.
“Like any high-level match, like any final, it will come down to the details. We will be patient. We will not rush. We will focus on starting the match well and be patient to unsettle them.”
Nigeria coach, Jose Peseiro, also speaking ahead of the much-anticipated final, hopes to win the AFCON title in his first attempt.
“Playing a final is always important,” he said.
He said, “This is my first AFCON. Some were saying it’s been special, and I can attest to that. The emotions in Africa are very special. All of this, in my opinion, is a great way to learn and I would love to win it with the Nigerian team tomorrow (Sunday).
“It is crucial to find a balance. We have a great squad of players that want to win this for Nigeria. Some are newcomers to the squad but have played in other competitions. Football brings a lot of emotion, more than any sport, and this is important for Nigeria.”
Peseiro also added that the team would be aiming to win the final for the Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, who is aiming for a second AFCON title.
Musa, who has not featured at the tournament in Ivory Coast, has been an important player for the squad, according to Peseiro.
The manager said, “Musa is much more than a player.
“He helps us a lot. He advises and informs me about many things. Up to now, he has done so many things. He has won the AFCON. He is the captain and I want to win the AFCON tomorrow so that I can see Musa lift this trophy.”
Should Peseiro go on to win the AFCON for Nigeria on Sunday, the Portuguese will become the third foreigner to win the continental title for Nigeria after Otto Gloria in 1980 and Clemens Westerhof in 1994.
Ekong, who by his admission almost didn’t make the squad for the tournament and was close to quitting international football after being overlooked for a year, expects the final to be a classic.
He also added that lifting the AFCON trophy would be an “amazing” moment for him and the country, noting that it would be time to deliver on Sunday.
Ekong said, “It will not be a tea party, and we won’t be going out there with a teacup. We will work hard and fight hard for the trophy.
“You dream about moments like that. I’ve seen it so many times. And I’ve closed my eyes. To be there on Sunday and have the chance to do that will be amazing.”
Ekong, a top contender for the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, has scored four of his five shots on target at the AFCON overall for Nigeria, converting two penalties at this tourney.
According to Opta, he’s one of only four Nigerians to score two penalties at a single AFCON, along with Samuel Ojebode (1976), Austin Okocha (2004), and Victor Moses (2013).
Making his third appearance at the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, having featured at the 2019 edition in Egypt and the 2022 tournament in Cameroon, Ekong will be aiming to join the elite list of Nigerian defenders like Christian Chukwu, Keshi and Joseph Yobo to have lifted the AFCON trophy for the country.
Ex-stars back Eagles
Meanwhile, former players of the Eagles have urged the team to make history for themselves by winning the AFCON final.
According to former Eagles striker, Brown Ideye, the Eagles have proved all their doubters wrong with their displays.
Ranked 42nd in the world and sixth in Africa, not much was expected from Peseiro’s team after some underwhelming results before the tournament.
“I never believed in this team,” Ideye, an AFCON winner in 2013 told BBC.
“Their form before the tournament and injuries to key players gave no one any hope but they’ve proved many of us wrong by reaching the final. I’m proud of them and I’m backing them to beat Ivory Coast again,” he added.
Former Eagles forward, Osaze Odemwinge, who starred at four AFCON tournaments in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, also believes that the Eagles have an advantage over their host in terms of talent.
“Hopefully, history repeats itself and we beat them again,” Osaze told Channels TV in an interview monitored by our correspondent.
He stated, “We have the edge emotionally and mentally because we know we have already had a good performance against them with the support of the crowd.
“We have the talents and we have a team better than them. If we match them physically, they cannot match us for skill, and that would be my hope that all these skills you know come out in the game because we want to unlock their defence.
He also hoped the Eagles would exploit the weaknesses in the Ivorian team.
Fans dream victory
Elsewhere, some Nigerian football fans on X expect the Eagles to lift their fourth African title at the expense of their hosts.
Ayodeji Adegbenro wrote, via his handle @Mike_ThePundit, “My birthday is on Sunday (today), the same day the Eagles eye another AFCON trophy. Let’s bring this home, Nigeria. Win the trophy for this boy on his AFCON debut.”
Nigerian music artist, Phillip Kayode Moses, popularly known as Pheelz, also shares optimism over the chances of the Eagles winning the AFCON trophy.
He urged Stanley Nwabali to keep another clean sheet.
He wrote, “I’m confident of the Eagles winning the AFCON. Nwabali stay strong in goal so we don’t concede. The likes of Victor Osimhen, William Troost-Ekong and Samuel Chukweze have impressed me.”
Another music star, Stanley Omah Didia, fondly known as Omah Lay, expressed enthusiasm and hope for another Eagles win, believing the triumph would be a significant moment in Nigerian football.
He made this known during a conversation with West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma.
In a video shared by the West London club on X, Omah Lay said, “It’s amazing; you can see how crazy the people are going. You can see how everybody is jumping around. I’m hopeful that this is going to be the year Nigeria wins the AFCON. The world is going to shake.”
Another X user, @oladan07, wrote that Nigeria’s rival Ghana won’t be spared should the Eagles go on to win the title. She wrote, “That ending was superb. We will cook Ghana after winning the AFCON on Sunday. Bring it home boys.”
@Sundayvibe also tweeted, “I don’t expect anything less than another win. The Eagles have everything to beat Ivory Coast so #bring it home Eagles.”
Shettima leads delegation
At the behest of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima will be in attendance at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan to lead a presidential delegation to the final and cheer the Eagles to victory.
Shettima, who was in the Ivorian capital to represent Tinubu at the semi-final between the Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, departed Abuja on Saturday for the Ivorian capital once again, a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed.
The statement is titled. ‘VP Shettima leads FG’s delegation to Super Eagles’ AFCON finals’.
“Recognising the unifying power of football and the immense role the Super Eagles play in fostering national pride and unity, the President believes that Vice-President Shettima’s presence at the finals alongside the delegation is a testament to the government’s unwavering support for the team and its dedication to their success,” Nkwocha said.
He also noted that the match would rekindle the memories of Nigeria’s 1-0 victory in the group stage secured through Troost-Ekong’s penalty kick.
The Federal Government called on all Nigerians at home and abroad to unite in support of the Super Eagles and create a wave of national pride that would propel the team to glory.
Health advisories
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has issued a health advisory to all residents ahead of the AFCON final.
No fewer than five Nigerians have reportedly died while watching the penalty shoot-out between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the semi-final match in Bouaké on Wednesday.
A statement released by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, on Saturday, gave some tips to help citizens prioritise their health and well-being while enjoying football matches or other intense activities.
The statement, which was posted on the Lagos State Government’s X handle, X| followlasg, outlined the tips as follows:
- Know your limits: Understand your physical limitations and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any underlying health conditions before engaging in activities that could potentially exacerbate them.
- Stay hydrated and nourished: Crowded, poorly ventilated and hot environments should be avoided with attention to good hydration. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and ensure you drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods to keep your body fuelled and hydrated, especially during prolonged periods of sitting and watching the game.
- Take regular breaks: Stand up, stretch, and move around periodically to prevent stiffness and promote blood circulation. This can also help maintain alertness and prevent fatigue.
- Maintain good posture: Sit in a comfortable chair with proper back support and avoid slouching to reduce strain on your muscles and spine.
- Stay calm and relaxed: Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness to manage stress and emotions during intense moments in the game.
- Be prepared for emergencies: Familiarise yourself with the location of medical facilities and emergency exits at the venue, and know how to access help quickly if needed. Contact the Lagos Emergency Medical Team, LASAMBUS, at 767 or 112 toll-free line in case of a medical emergency.
The commissioner also urged viewing centres to ensure that venues, where football matches would be watched, had adequate medical facilities and trained personnel on hand to respond swiftly in cases of emergencies.
He also advised residents to seek prompt medical attention if they experienced any unusual symptoms or discomfort.
Similarly, the Nigerian Cardiac Society, on Saturday, cautioned Nigerians to avoid getting overly excited during the AFCON final and other sporting and emotional events.
The society in a statement in Ilorin, Kwara State, which was jointly signed by the National President, Prof Augustine Odili, Secretary-General and Publicity Secretary, Prof Chizindu Alinkor and Prof Abiodun Akintunde, commiserated with the families of those whose death was linked to the AFCON semi-final match played on Wednesday.
The society, however, warned that sports and other emotional events could trigger arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes in those with underlying heart conditions.
The statement read in part, “The society notes with utmost concern the several reported cases of sudden deaths among Nigerians both at home and abroad directly or indirectly.
“We wish to commiserate with the immediate families of the deceased and the country at large and pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
“The reported deaths of at least four (five) individuals occurring during the match leaves much to be desired on the cardiovascular health of Nigerians.”
The society added that it could not authoritatively confirm the exact causes of death in the situations without prejudice.
They explained that it was their duty to call the attention of Nigerians to the very possibility that sudden death often occurs either in the presence/absence of risk factors.
The experts explained that many of the risk factors were highly prevalent among Nigerians and were also poorly controlled.
They described sudden death as a natural, unexpected fatal event occurring within one hour from the onset of symptoms in an apparently healthy subject, or in one whose disease was not so severe to predict such an abrupt outcome.
The statement added, “Sudden cardiac death can be defined as death resulting from abrupt loss of cardiac function with or without previous heart disease unexpected within one hour of onset of symptoms.
“About 50 per cent of all deaths from heart diseases are sudden regardless of the aetiology.
“It has also been shown that 89 per cent of all sudden cardiac deaths occur outside the hospital and less that 40 per cent are witnessed.”
The surgeons stated that the causes of sudden death were as varied as its presentation, including complications of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, valvular disorders, and pulmonary thromboembolism, among others.
They explained further that the risk factors for heart disease were many, including lack of physical exercise, smoking tobacco, consuming alcohol, eating unhealthy diets rich in salt and saturated fats, and low in fresh fruits and vegetables.
The experts added, “Other risk factors include high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood lipids/cholesterol (dyslipidaemia), overweight and obesity, and diabetes mellitus.
“Hypertension is the most common risk factor for heart disease and stroke in Nigeria.”
[Punch]
The die is cast and Super Eagles players have all resolved to redouble their efforts to win the AFCON trophy today.
While charging his team on positives, attitudes, and right mentality, coach Jose Peseiro told the players he desires the trophy more than them.
He reminded them of the love Nigerians have shown the team since they arrived in Abidjan. The Super Eagles remain the biggest team the Portuguese coach has handled.
He had only previously handled two lowly-rated national teams – Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Peseiro’s other jobs were being assistant to other coaches and handling clubs in the fourthtier Portuguese league.
As a player, he was a secondtier striker in Portugal and he said in an interview on UK’s Sky Sport: “I did not play at a high level.” His coaching career took a turn after promotion to the top flight with Nacional. A job offer that set him on a different trajectory. Legendary Portuguese coach, Carlos Queiroz made him his assistant at Real Madrid in 2003. That was Jose Peseiro’s biggest moment.
[Vanguard]
Super Eagles coach, José Peseiro, has declared that the players will not be intimidated by the atmosphere when Nigeria takes on hosts Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, on Sunday.
Ivory Coast will be out for a revenge after they were beaten 1-0 by the Super Eagles on matchday two in Group A.
The Super Eagles are now focused on winning their fourth AFCON title while the Elephants are seeking to lay hands on their third title.
Peseiro, who addressed the press on Saturday ahead of the crunch final revealed that his team won’t be intimidated by the harsh atmosphere.
“I think it is good. The stadium will be full, fantastic atmosphere. One final, my players, me, and all my staff prefer to play in a full stadium with a good atmosphere,” Peseiro told reporters.
“Even sometimes, they try to shout at us, not the football but it is a good atmosphere to play in the final, only need to concentrate on what must do on the pitch, our task, job, demand, commitment, sacrifice, spirit, and what we must do in each moment of the game to manage our mental balance, before the match, along the match.
“It is for our players to put effort when the people around push for Côte d’Ivoire, you don’t feel the opposite when they push for the opponent but if you want to play, you need to play with the same enthusiasm and motivation, because you want to win this AFCON, no favorite for tomorrow but you want to win this AFCON.”
[DailyPost]
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The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has set up a viewing centre at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital, for residents to watch the final African Cup of Nations match.
The match which will take place on Sunday is between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, the host country.
In a statement on Saturday, the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said the viewing centre is tagged “Solution viewing centre”, adding that it will be opened by 7 pm on Sunday.
Aburime said it is the governor’s way of supporting the Super Eagles and also encouraging residents to come out to cheer their team during the match.
He said there will be free drinks and popcorn for viewers, adding that Ekwueme Square was selected as the location of the viewing centre because of its space.
The statement read, “Aside from the spacious viewing centre located at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, there will be side attractions which include a Disc Jockey (DJ) on stage, free popcorn and liquid to go with for everyone, guest appearances and many more.
“Soludo has consistently expressed his support for the Super Eagles and urges them to bring home the coveted cup.
“Like every Nigerian, the governor understands that football is one aspect of Nigerian life that does not know tribe, gender or class.
“Both the low and high express joy and happiness freely when their team flops or does well without restrictions.”
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will battle the Elephants of Ivory Coast in the final of the ongoing AFCON in Abidjan on Sunday.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 in penalties to reach the African Cup of Nations finals.
The Eagles secured a penalty after African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was brought down in the box by Mothobi Mvala (South Africa) at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Ivory Coast.
[Punch]
In its renewed bid to support sports tourism in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, the Project Fly with Us Afrika has unveiled the Face of Africa Sports and Tourism Awards ASTA. This was done at Sofitel Hotel Ivoire, Cote Divoire.
Project Fly with Us Afrika began operation in 2022 with Destination Travels and Tours, recently it became more focused on Sports tourism, recognising and appreciating those who have carved a niche for themselves in the sporting world either as professionals, organisers or ardent supporters of sports and tourism in Africa.
According to the brain behind the Project Fly Afrika initiative, Ambassador Peace Onuiri, the ASTA awards currently taking place in Cote D'Ivoire is the first of its kind and slating to hold during the AFCON 23 football tournament.
He said, this is to show that the organisation is passionate about projecting the impact of sport tourism and rekindling the love of sports, whilst promoting sport and tourism destinations in Africa
Amb. Onuiri informed that during the ongoing Africa Cup of nations, the organisation had so far presented awards of Honours to the Nigeria Football Association, (NFF), President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Africa Football Legend, Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha for their indelible contributions to the growth and development of Soccer in Nigeria and Africa, noting that the recipients also won 2 tickets each for a luxurious tour of East Africa Safari, coming up in few weeks.
Amb. Onuiri further revealed that logistics arrangements were also made for those flying to Cote D'Ivoire to cheer the Nigerian Super Eagles to victory in form of round trip flights, luxurious accommodations, guranteed tickets for up-close match experience, as well as guided tours to immerse guest in the whole local atmosphere of the city.
She noted that it was not just about the match experience but a celebration of culture, camaraderie laced with unforgettable moments to be cherished for long afterwards.
Amb. Onuiri implored well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to key into the initiative by supporting in any possible way, saying it would not only promote the industry but also go a long way in promoting Nigeria as the 'Giant of Africa' where sporting and tourism activities are concerned.
L-R: Boluwaji Matthews of Oyo State Broadcasting Corporation, Ayo Ibidapo of the NFF media, Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, former Super Eagles Striker, Ambassador Peace Onuiri of the Project Fly with Us Afrika and other members of her Media team during the Presentation of the Face of Africa Sports and Tourism Awards ASTA to Okocha at the ongoing 2024 African Cup of Nations in Cote D'Ivoire.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will tackle the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the 34th Africa Cup of Nations Final on Sunday.
Ahead of the potentially explosive encounter, here is the fact file of 2024 Africa Cup of Nations finalists Nigeria:
Path to final: Group A – Equatorial Guinea 1-1, Ivory Coast 1-0, Guinea-Bissau 1-0; Last 16 – Cameroon 2-0; Quarter-final – Angola 1-0; Semi-final – South Africa 1-1 (4-2 penalties)
Scorers: 3 – Ademola Lookman, 2 – William Troost-Ekong, 1 – Victor Osimhen, own goal – Opa Sangante (GNB)
Rankings: 6 Africa, 42 world
Captain: William Troost-Ekong
Coach: Jose Peseiro (POR)
Previous appearances: 19
Best placing: Champions 1980, 1994, 2013
Record win: South Africa 4-0 (2004)
Record losses: Sudan 0-4 (1963), Algeria 1-5 (1990)
Nickname: Super Eagles
Squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa Utd/RSA), Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba), Francis Uzoho (Omonia/CYP)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi (both Boavista/POR), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Semi Ajayi (West Brom/ENG), Calvin Bassey (Fulham/ENG), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa/TUR), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce/TUR), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto/POR), William Troost-Ekong (PAOK/GRE)
Midfielders: Joe Aribo (Southampton/ENG), Alex Iwobi (Fulham/ENG), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge/BEL), Frank Onyeka (Brentford/ENG), Alhaasan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp/BEL)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan/ITA), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester/ENG), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/ITA), Terem Moffi (Nice/FRA), Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor/TUR), Victor Osimhen (Napoli/ITA), Moses Simon (Nantes/FRA), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor/TUR)
[DailyTrust]
From the pre-show at the Peacock Theatre to the main event at the Crypto.com Arena, the 66th edition of the Grammys, which was held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, was laden with drama.
DAILY POST takes a look at some of the events that defined the 2024 Grammys.
Nicki Minaj’s Prank
The Recording Academy sparked controversy after it appeared to have pranked rapper Nicki Minaj – the Grammy organisers announced ‘Barbie World’ by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice as the winner of the Best Rap Song category on their website and social media handles but later deleted it.
The organisers made a new announcement, flaunting Killer Mike’s ‘Scientists & Engineers’ as the rightful winner without any statement or apology for their initial error which angered fans of Nicki Minaj who hasn’t won a Grammy in over two decades of her career. The development means that Nicki Minaj is yet to have a Grammy to her name.
Jay-Z’s Outburst
American hip-hop legend, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter appeared to have called out the Grammy organisers while receiving the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 2024 Grammys at the Crypto.com Arena, in Los Angeles, on Sunday.
Using his wife, Beyoncé’s Album of the Year snub as a case study, Jay-Z criticised the Recording Academy’s sense of judgment, pointing out that despite Beyoncé being the most awarded person in the Grammy’s history with a total of 32 awards, she has never won the Album of the Year category.
The Roc Nation boss said, “She [Beyoncé] has more Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that. Most Grammys never won Album of the Year. That doesn’t work.”
He went on to accuse the Grammy organisers of “robbing” some nominees and awarding undeserving recipients.
“Some of you are going to go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed. Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category.
“Sorry, when I get nervous, I tell the truth,” Jay-Z said.
Killer Mike’s Arrest
Rapper, Killer Mike was arrested shortly after winning three golden gramophones at the 66th Grammys on Sunday night.
Chris Gardner, a senior staff writer for Hollywood Reporter, revealed via X that the rapper was “taken away handcuffs,” in the Crypto.com arena during the telecast for the main categories.
According to a statement by the Los Angeles Police Department, Mike Killer was booked for misdemeanour battery after being detained and questioned at the Grammys.
The statement added that the rapper was in the process of being released around the time the Grammys ended.
Nigeria’s Miss Out
The poor outing of Nigerian artists at the 66th Grammys appeared to be one of the major talking points from the event.
DAILY POST reports that the Nigerian quintet of Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Davido, Asake, and Olamide were snubbed at the 66th Grammys on Sunday, with Tyla, the only non-Nigerian nominee in the maiden Best African Music Performance category, picking up the award.
Davido and Burna Boy also lost their nominations for the Best Global Music Album and Best Global Music Performance categories.
Burna Boy lost his nomination in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category as well.
Nigerian artists’ Grammy loss angered many of their compatriots, with some alleging that they were deliberately snubbed in a bid to suppress the buzzing Nigerian Afrobeats genre while others called for a boycott of the Grammys.
Davido’s hypeman, Special Spesh accused the Grammy organisers of trying to control African music, vowing that Africans won’t give them the power to downplay Afrobeats or any other African genre.
“We won’t give you the power to dumb Afrobeats down or Afrofusion or anything African!
“That’s (white) America’s problem! When things start to take over and get massive they always want a part then try to have a say then try to control,” Spesh wrote via Instagram.
Similarly, British-Nigerian media personality, Adesope Olajide, aka Shopsydoo, called for Africans, especially Nigerians to boycott the Grammys, accusing the Recording Academy of using Nigerian artists for promotion.
Speaking via an Instagram live session, Shopsydoo claimed that the Recording Academy does not care about African music, stressing that the Grammy band playing Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s ‘Water’ after ‘Water’ when South African singer, Tyla was announced as the winner of the inaugural Best African Music Performance category, was enough reason that the Grammy doesn’t have a clue about African music.
[DailyPost]