The immediate past minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare has congratulated the Super Eagles for qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, early next year.
Super Eagles secured the ticket with a hard fought 3-2 victory against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, who hosted the penultimate tie in the qualifiers, in Monrovia, Liberia.
Red hot Napoli of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen netted a first half brace to put Nigeria two goals up, but a goal in either half by the Leone Stars, pegged back the Super Eagles, before Kelechi Ihianacho scored deep in stoppage time, to seal the win for Nigeria,
Dare who followed the entire match anxiously, described it as a ‘tough match’, on a plastic pitch that made it a bit difficult for players of both sides.
“But at the end of the day we won, which is very vital, the most important thing is that, the boys have qualified for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON)”, Dare said.
The outgone sports minister, said he was even more fascinated by the comportment of the players, after Sierra Leone fought back to make it 2-2.
According to him this confirms that Nigeria’s status as three-time African champions, is no fluke.
On Saturday, 2012 champions, Zambia and Equatorial Guinea joined Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Tunisia and Egypt, in booking their places for the 34th edition of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, to be staged in Côte d’Ivoire.
Also on Sunday, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde and Eagles of Mali punched their tickets to the flagship tournament, with resounding victories.
