President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for keeping hope alive in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon by winning all their group matches and advancing to the second round of the tournament in grand style.
President Buhari's commendation came on Wednesday minutes after Nigeria defeated Guinea Bissau 2-0 in their last Group D match at the Africa Cup of Nations in Garoua, Cameroon.
William Troost-Ekong scored Nigeria’s second goal against Guinea Bissau after a sensational dribble by Moses Simon in the 75th minute.
Simon’s shot hit the bar after he dribbled three opponents before Ekong scored from the rebound.
Sadiq Umar scored in the 56th minute to put Nigeria ahead in the game. He scored through an assist from Kelechi Iheanacho.
Both teams created good chances but failed to score in the first half.
Sadiq Umar missed what should have been the first goal of the game in the 24th minute.
In the 15th minute, Semi Ajayi also missed a goal by nodding above the goalpost.
According to punch report, with the victory, Nigeria are the only team that reached the last 16 round winning all group matches at the 33rd AFCON.
Guinea Bissau’s hope to reach the last 16 failed after losing to already qualified and top of the group Nigeria.
Although they came to the tournament with many absences and technical changes, Nigeria’s Super Eagles established themselves as one of the favorites with an outstanding performance in their first two matches.
A convincing victory over Egypt, followed by another against Sudan, ensured the Super Eagles qualified as the top of the group, regardless of the outcome of Wednesday’s match.
This is the first encounter between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Guinea-Bissau are winless in their nine matches in the Africa Cup of Nations (D3 L6).
Nigeria have won 12 of their last 14 Africa Cup of Nations matches (L2), including both in this year’s tournament so far.
They last won each of their opening three matches of an edition back in 2006.
Reacting to the winning, President Buhari urged the Austin Eguavoen-led team to maintain and even surpass the terrific form that made them leaders in the group stage, as Nigeria hopefully looks forward to a total of seven emphatic wins in this competition.
He expressed the trust that the positive reputation of good sportsmanship the traveling fans, sportswriters and the football team have demonstrated in Cameroon will continue to enliven the importance of sports, particularly football, as an enabler of development, peace, tolerance, friendship and cooperation.
According to Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President(Media & Publicity) Buhari also wished the Super Eagles the very best, pledging that his administration would continue to support the efforts of international, regional and national football organisations to use the sport as a tool to build a better and peaceful world.
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