TheCable

Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate, has urged the Super Eagles to “give their best to the game and be of good cheer” at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

The Super Eagles are in Group A alongside Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

They begin their quest in the competition against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday. The team will face Ivory Coast four days later before rounding off the group stage with the Guinea-Bissau tie on January 22.

In a thread of tweets on his X account, Obi wished the Nigerian men’s national team “resounding victory in all their games” at the AFCON.

He added that the team is prepared and “ready to bring home the trophy”.

“As our dear nation, Nigeria, prepares for their first match against Equatorial Guinea in the Group A match at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Abidjan today, I wish to join other football enthusiasts in wishing our Super Eagles resounding victory in all their games,” Obi said.

“Nigeria’s impact on football in Africa and globally is remarkable, thanks to the creative talent of our youths. Our national football team is prepared and ready to bring home the trophy.

“I encourage them to give their best to the game and be of good cheer. Nigerians are solidly behind them. I like also to congratulate CAF and FIFA for the tournament that helps to develop African youths and create unity in the continent.”

However, the Super Eagles’ bid at AFCON had some setbacks, with three players pulling out of the team due to injuries. Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface and Sadiq Umar withdrew from the competition due to injury, and Al Hassan Yusuf, Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu have been drafted as replacements.