At the Super Eagles’ farewell dinner on Tuesday, the governor of Lagos State gave them encouragement by quoting the well-known saying “no gree for anybody.”
Before the 34th AFCON tournament begins on Saturday, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged the Nigerian Super Eagles to persevere in capturing a fourth AFCON championship.
Using the well-known expression “no gree for anybody,” Mr. Sanwo-Olu, who hosted the Super Eagles for a farewell supper in Lagos on Tuesday, inspired the team as they pursued gold in Cote d’Ivoire.
As the “country’s unifier,” the governor told the Eagles at the outset of his speech that it is in their best interests to represent the country.
“You are what unites our nation. Nigerians expect you to accomplish that for us throughout the matches, even if we will be putting a lot of pressure on you. We think we have the men to pull it off.
“Some may say that we don’t have a team, but it’s another thing entirely to believe in oneself. Once you do, as a team, we are already moving in the right direction, despite any challenges or fluctuations in the price of fuel the nation faces. Just go out there and show your unwavering spirit as a Nigerian, knowing that two hundred and twenty million people in the nation and the diaspora are rooting for you.
“And you can write your names in gold forever by doing this.” And I want to reassure you that 220 million Nigerians are rooting for you.
“We are aware of your sense of loyalty and patronage. Make that your motivation. Perspire from the fact that we now require this uniter for the sake of our nation. For us Nigerians, sports are a healing tool and we need peace.
“We require that cup to be a comfort, one that would energize us and unite all of our nation’s desires. And I ask God to provide you the courage to accomplish this.
“You ought to be eligible, and be sure not to give up. You might be giving up in the first half, which is the last thing you want to do. Don’t give up; it can take up to 70 minutes.
“Keep trying; you could see for eighty minutes. You have to believe that opportunities always exist till the last minute and that this is the nature of life.
“Because it takes more than just words to declare that we will repeat the action; it takes the team’s dedication and spirit.”
Remember that more than 222 million Nigerians are rooting for you,” he exclaimed.
Musa Comforts Nigerians, Rewriting History After Ten Years
Remember that eleven years ago, the Eagles defeated all odds to win the competition under the direction of the late Stephen Keshi?
Along with their captain Ahmed Musa, the Nigerian Super Eagles flew back to the nation on a chartered jet, promising Governor Sanwo-Olu, Sports Development Minister John Owan, and other prominent sports figures in attendance that they will be properly represented at the event.
As the Eagles’ new captain, Musa, who was a part of the 2013 South Africa championship team, will guide the group in a tough match. This came after previous manager Gernot Rohr’s 2021 AFCON in Egypt, which marked John Obi Mikel’s retirement from the game.
Today, the Eagles will take an 80-minute chartered trip to Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire.
