The President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has solicited financial support for the Super Eagles ahead of their match on Sunday.
According to the minister for Sports Development, John Enoh, the move became imperative with the present economic challenge amidst other national priorities and the fact that the government alone cannot solely do it all.
“The curtain will fall on the African Cup of Nations football tournament on Sunday February 11, 2024 with our senior national team, the Super Eagles facing the Cote d’Ivoire national team in the finals,” Senator Enoh said in a statement personally signed by him.
He continued: “The inspiring performance of the Super Eagles thus far has lifted the spirit of our country and united us the way no other aspect of our national aspiration can.
“The outstanding performance they have posted so far underscores the resilient and indomitable Nigerian Spirit which surmounts obstacles to achieve individual and collective objectives.
“The feel good feeling the country is suffused with as a result of the heroics of the Super Eagles thus far needs to be sustained until the team lifts the coveted trophy for historic fourth time.
“The current administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated full support to the national team unprecedented in the contemporary history of sports administration in our country.
“In the face of paucity of funds amidst competing national priorities, it has become self-evident and abundantly clear that government alone cannot fund sports development in our country.
“It is based on the understanding of this reality that I am making this impassioned appeal to private individuals and corporate Nigeria to support our national team, the Super Eagles to win the African Cup of Nations trophy.
“I believe that in this critical moment in which the Super Eagles are on the cusp of victory, all Nigerians need to support and motivate them to go all the way to win the cup. My expectation is that public spirited individuals and corporate Nigeria should make a promise of financial support to the Super Eagles team in the likelihood of their winning the final match on Sunday.
“This will be announced to the team ahead of the Sunday match.
“Our country is on the threshold of history. I call on sports loving Nigerians in their private and corporate capacities to massively support the team. Together, ‘Let’s Do It Again’ for the love of country.”
Politics Nigeria reports that the Super Eagles will square up against the hosts, Elephant of Cote ‘D’Ivoire on Sunday as Nigeria bid to conquer the continent as did the illustrious team of 1980, 1994 and 2013.
