AFCON 2023: List of Nigerian Politicians Who Have Met With Super Eagles in Ivory Coast
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering sports and football.
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire - Some Nigerian politicians have met with the Super Eagles of Nigeria players at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Ivory Coast.
Legit.ng undertstands that the meeting is to encourage the Nigerian team as the country guns for her fourth AFCON title.
Source: Getty Images
In this report, Legit.ng highlights Nigerian politicians who have met the country's senior national football team at AFCON 2023.
1) Segun Odegbami
The governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Ogun state in the 2019 election, Segun Odegbami, visited the Eagles' camp.
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During the visit, Odegbami, a former national team captain, expressed hope that the Super Eagles can rule Africa again.
The 71-year-old singled out Ola Aina as Nigeria’s stand-out performer against Cote d’Ivoire, saying the defender ‘must be studied’.
While addressing the team ahead of their fixture versus Guinea Bissau, Odegbami said:
“I believe that you are winning it. I have not done this before; I am doing it because I believe it and I want you to believe it too. Not just believe by mouth, it’s the (belief) from inside – to go there now and start to play like champions because you are good. And confidently, you can play it (football) and I can see it."
Odegbami added:
"Look, I believe it. I am here to encourage you, to wish you well. I am going to watch you (against Guinea-Bissau) it’s going to be a tough match because that is how it is in our tradition.
“I don’t expect an easy match – but confidently, calmly, take your time and do the things you know how to do best – under any circumstances, you will win.”
Watch Odegbami's speech below:
2) Akinwunmi Ambode
Former governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode, paid a visit to the Super Eagles camp in Ivory Coast to offer words of encouragement.
The visit, captured in a video shared on social media, showed Ambode expressing support and well-wishes for the Nigerian team.
In the footage, Ambode said:
“We just want to wish you well and just make sure that at least we still have that great support for everyone irrespective of the outcome."
Watch Ambode and other guests during their visit below:
3) Kashima Shettima
The vice president, Kashim Shettima, at the instance of his principal, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, left Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Wednesday, February 7, to lend the president’s "unwavering support" to the Super Eagles in their duel with South Africa in the semi-final of AFCON 2023.
Shettima watched the match alongside CAF president, Patrice Motsepe.
After the Super Eagles' victory against the Bafana Bafana, Shettima met with the team in the dressing room.
4) Dapo Abiodun
Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, visited the Super Eagles alongside Shettima.
After the semifinal match, Abiodun congratulated the Super Eagles.
5) Duoye Diri
Like Abiodun, Duoye Diri, governor of Bayelsa state, went with vice-president Shettima to physically deliver good wishes to the Nigerian team.
Diri is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
What to read about AFCON 2023:
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- AFCON 2023: Nigeria coach, Peseiro, threatens to dismiss Super Eagles stars, source speaks
- AFCON 2023: List of former EPL stars who met with Victor Osimhen in Ivory Coast
AFCON 2023: Sports expert predicts champion
Meanwhile, the chairman of Sporting Lagos FC, Godwin Enakhena, has tipped the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win the 2023 AFCON.
Enakhena made comments about the AFCON 2023 possible winner via X.
He said with the likes of Morocco and Senegal out, he sees the Super Eagles winning the prestigious title.
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Source: Legit.ng
