Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has encouraged Super Eagles players to compete for and win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a source of relief for Nigerians facing severe economic issues.
Sanwo-Olu, gave the charge while hosting the team to a special dinner at Lagos House, Marina, late Tuesday evening, before their final departure to Cote-de-Ivoire for the AFCON Competition, slated to commence on Saturday.
Addressing the players, Sanwo-Olu said, “You are our country’s unifier, as much as we will be putting the pressure on you during the matches, Nigerians expect you to do that (unifying spirit) for us. We believe we have the men who can do it for us.
“People might say we don’t have a team, it’s another thing to believe in yourself and once you believe in yourself and as a team, we are on that track already, no matter the obstacles, no matter the fuel price facing the country, but just to go out there and demonstrate your undying spirit as Nigerian with a total of two hundred and 20 million people in the country and the Diaspora are right behind you.
“And this is how you can write your names in gold forever. And I want to assure you that this number (220 million Nigerians) is behind you in support.
“We know you have a sense of patronage and patriotism, let that be your driving force. Let it encourage you that for our country at the moment we need this unifier. We need peace, we need sports as a healing tool for us, (Nigerians).
“We need that cup to be a succour, that would energise us and bring together all of the yearnings of this country. Andi pray God gives you the strength bro achieve this.
“You should qualify and make sure that you don’t give up. You could be in the first half is not what you want, to give up. It could get to 70 minutes, do t give up.
“You could see 80 minutes, don’t give up. You have to have that belief that until the whistle blows you still have an opportunity and that’s how life is.
“Because when we want to say that we will do it again is not by mouth alone, it’s about that team’s spirit and commitment. Just know that over 222 million Nigerians are behind you.”
Also in attendance were: the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh, as the Minister of Sports Development,
Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, among others
