AFCON 2023: Gusau heaps plaudits on President Tinubu, Akpabio, Pinnick

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has applauded the contributions of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Senate, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Nigeria’s FIFA Member Amaju Melvin Pinnick as the Super Eagles wended elegantly and unapologetically into the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Cote d’Ivoire.

Gusau, ever modest and level-headed even amid mass excitement and euphoria of Nigeria’s progress, told thenff.com that he would rather give credit for the team’s advancement to key individuals who have played major roles behind the scenes to spur the team to rise to higher heights.

“Let me tell you something: that virtual interaction that our Father of the Nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) had with the players before the match against Angola was highly motivating and inspiring at the same time. He told them to go for it because they can do it and go all the way. The players told me his words kept ringing in their ears.

“We also commend the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic, Chief Godswill Akpabio (CON) for finding the time to come to Abidjan to cheer the Eagles to victory against the Angolans. It was a very tough game but the players knew the whole of Nigeria was behind them having heard the words of Mr. President and knowing that the country’s number three man was in the stands cheering them on.”

Three-time champions Nigeria have cruised into the last four of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, with solid performances against host nation Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon and Angola, following an opening day 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.

“I must also give kudos to Nigeria’s Member of the esteemed FIFA Council, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, my predecessor in office. He has been amazing in how he has supported everything we are doing and provided valuable advice occasionally. He is a real patriot with so much passion and the NFF is grateful to him.”

Nigeria will now square up to the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the competition’s first semi-final at the Stade de la Paix (Stadium of Peace) in Bouake on Wednesday evening.

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