Some football fans in Gombe have expressed optimism that the Super Eagles could win Nigeria’s fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy after 3 -1 win against Sudan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles on Saturday defeated Sudan 3 -1 to secure maximum six points from two games to top the Group D.
Nigeria’s goals came through Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Simon in the 3rd, 45th and 46th minutes respectively.
Walieldin Daiyeen’s 70th minute penalty kick secured Sudan’s maiden goal of the tournament in the game played at the Stadè Roumde Adjia, Garoua, Cameroon.
A cross-section of the fans in separate interviews with NAN in Gombe, applauded the players for sustaining their winning streak at the tournament.
Mr Saidu Malala, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State Council, said the players and the technical team had done well and rekindled confidence of Nigerians.
Malala said the progressive wins being recorded by the Eagles had given Nigerians hope that “we can actually win this trophy in Cameroon.”
According to him, a fourth trophy for the country would help heal Nigeria of some of the challenges, especially in view of the pandemic.
He, however, warned the team against complacency or underrating any team as the tournament progressed.
Also, Mr Abdulrazaq Mungadi, a Gombe-based journalist said the consecutive wins had given hope to Nigerians and “from what I watched today we have higher chances of winning this tournament.”
Mungadi said most predictions were in favour of the Super Eagles against other teams, “this is because we are improving on our matches which is key in every competition.”
He winning the trophy had done good to the country good in the past and winning it now before the general elections in 2023 will help stabilise the country.
Mrs Esther Adedeji, said scoring more goals than what the Eagles scored in their first match meant the team could improve and go far towards winning the trophy but “we must not be carried away.”
Adedeji advised the team to focus on addressing all loopholes especially in their defense to ensure that they don’t concede goals that could hamper the team’s chances of winning the trophy.
NAN also reports that Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, 1994 and in 2013. (NAN)
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