By Amaechi Agbo
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday congratulated the Super Eagles for their victory over Angola in the quarter finals of CHAN in Morocco.
The congratulatory message was contained in a statement made available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
“President Muhammadu Buhari extends his congratulations to the Super Eagles on the spectacular 2-1 win against Angola in the CHAN quarter-finals match in Morocco.
“President Buhari, who watched the match in his hotel room in Addis Ababa after a long day of meetings which started at 8:00am and ended at 5:30 pm, wishes them the very best for the upcoming matches,” the two-paragraph statement read.
Meanwhile Super Eagles winger, Sunday Faleye will play no more part in the 2018 African Nations Championship, CHAN in Morocco after he dislocated his elbow against Angola. The Shooting Stars player has been ruled out of action for 4 weeks.
Faleye landed badly on his hand and was later forced out of the CHAN quarterfinal against Angola in the 59th minute on SUnday in Tangier.
“I have been ruled out of the rest of the tournament because of my injury,” he said.
“The doctor said I will be out for a month.”
The 19-year-old winger started the Eagles first four matches and was the match winner against Libya in a crucial group game.
Man of the Match against Angola, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, has revealed that the CHAN Eagles resolved to surpass Nigeria’s best outing in the competition by going all the way to the final in Morocco.
The home-based Eagles face Sudan on Wednesday in Marrekesh for a place in the final of the 2018 final after they needed extra-time to beat Angola 2-1 Sunday night in Tangier.
Nigeria best performance in CHAN was reaching the semi-finals on their debut in 2014 in South Africa.
On Sunday night, goalkeeper and captain Ezenwa pulled off several saves against Angola to keep the Eagles alive in Tangier.
And Ezenwa revealed the team has long resolved to reach the championship game in Morocco.
“Even before we came to Morocco, we promised among ourselves to go past the semi-finals, we are heading to the final,” he revealed.
“We respect Sudan, but we don’t fear them. We will double our efforts against their main national team and we hope to win again.”
The Enyimba shotstopper also praised coach Salisu Yusuf for always believing in the team.
“He was standing by the touchline even when it looked like we will lose (vs Angola). The coach gave us confidence. He has never ever lost confidence in us. I dedicate this victory to him,” he said.
