11th February, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Nigerian Afropop singer, songwriter, actress, and activist Yemi Eberechi Alade has warned Super Eagles on bad luck handshake in AFCON 2023 final against Ivory Coast.
In the decisive match on Sunday night, host nation and two-time winners Ivory Coast will play Nigeria, who are aiming to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for a fourth time.
Nigeria prevailed 1-0 in their previous group-stage matchup between these two teams, and their paths to the championship have been entirely different.
In a statement on her official social media platforms, Alade issued a warning to the Super Eagles about handshakes ahead of the final.
She said, “Make some people no carry their bad luck go dey do handshake before our eagles play o.”
Make some people no carry their badluck go dey do handshake before our eagles play o .
— ✊🏾 yemialade (@yemialadee) February 10, 2024
The game between Ivory Coast and Nigeria is slated to begin at 9 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
The final game between Ivory Coast and Nigeria will take place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Alade performed at the opening ceremony of the 2023 AFCON last month, during the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony took place at the Stade Olympique Alessane Ouattara in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Alade teamed up with Mohamed Ramadan, an Egyptian rapper, and Magic System, an Ivorian band, to perform ‘Akwaaba’, the official anthem for AFCON 2023.
Draped in a green Ankara print ensemble, the songstress adorned her hair with gold ornaments reminiscent of a Calabar bride.
Alade was all smiles on stage as she leapt on stage and revelled in perfect harmony with Ramadan and Magic System.
Yemi Alade performs at opening ceremony of AFCON 2023
In a pre-performance revelation on social media, the singer shared her long-standing desire to grace football ceremonies since 2016.
She emphasised the importance of “prayer and speaking into existence your heart desires”, adding that she is honoured to perform at AFCON.
Alade also described the feat as “a dream come true”.