9th February, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe on Friday disclosed that Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu will be in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire to watch the AFCON final.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephant of Cote d’Ivoire will lock horns in the final of the African Cup of Nations on Sunday.
He disclosed this at a news conference in Abidjan. Motsepe was asked by a journalist when he thought Africa would host the world again and he said Tinubu would be coming to watch AFCON final.
“Nigeria must put in a bid. The Nigerian president (Bola Tinubu) is coming to watch the final on Sunday. I will have a conversation with him about it,” Motsepe said.
Already, Vice President Kashim Shettima was in Cote d’Ivoire when the Super Eagles defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 on penalties in the Semi-final of the tournament.
Reacting to the news that Tinubu will be in Abidjan to watch the AFCON final, a former presidential spokesman, Reno Omokri said “Excellent encouragement and inspiration for the Super Eagles. I wish Dr. Motsepe had not let the cat out of the bag.
“It would have been better as a surprise. Nevertheless, it is a good development, and Nigeria has worked hard for victory. And we wish the Super Eagles all the best on Sunday.”
In the group stage, the Nigerian side defeated Cote d’Ivoire by a lone goal. The goal was scored by Williams Troost-Ekong from the penalty spot.