Nigeria’s qualification for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) has spread excitement across the length and breadth of the country.
The Super Eagles reached their first final since 2013 when they beat South Africa on penalties following a pulsating 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time.
Captain William Troost-Ekong’s penalty had looked set to give Nigeria a slender victory but Bafana Bafana restored parity at the death after Teboho Mokoena converted from the spot.
With the game extending into extra time, it was Jose Peseiro’s side who picked up a spot in the final, via a 4-2 victory in the shootout.
Football stars Kanu and Oshola lead praises for Super Eagles
Nigeria’s win over South Africa and their progress to the final of the AFCON has ignited joy among many Nigerians, with some of their football stars taking to social media to praise the team.
Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu shared a video of himself congratulating the players in the dressing room, accompanied by the caption: “KAN U believe this? What a feeling……The Super Eagles are in great spirits. Ready to fly to the finals. We dey here.”
Six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshola also used the occasion to troll Nigeria’s rivals Ghana, even though they never played against the Super Eagles at AFCON 2024.
Adekunle Gold, other music stars eulogise Super Eagles
Meanwhile, some of Nigeria’s Afrobeat stars also joined in the celebration of the country’s progress to the final of the AFCON.
On his X (formerly Twitter) account, singer Adekunle Gold claims that ‘God watches ball'.
His wife, Simi, also reserved praise for goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali for his heroic performance in the penalty shootout.
Songstress Yemi Alade also expressed her joy over Nigeria's victory against Bafana Bafana.
Nigerian politicians share in Super Eagles’ AFCON joy
Some politicians, including Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Lagos governorship candidate for Labour Party in the 2023 elections, and the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, weren’t left out.
Rhodes-Vivour believes the Super Eagles ‘fought like warriors and did their country proud'.
Meanwhile Okonjo-Iweala congratulated both the Super Eagles as well as Bafana Bafana players.
Nigeria have now set up a date with hosts Ivory Coast in the final of the 2024 AFCON, in what will be a repeat of their Group A clash earlier in the tournament, which the Super Eagles won 1-0 thanks to William Troost-Ekong’s penalty.
