13th February, 2024
By Ismail Abdulaziz
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday rewarded each player of Nigeria’s senior national football team, the Super Eagles with a national award, a plot of land and a flat in appreciation of their performance at the just concluded 2023 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) hosted by in Cote d’Ivoire.
Super Eagles lost the trophy to the host nation at the final of AFCON 2023 played at the Abidjan Stadium last Sunday.
But while receiving the team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, the President commended the players and crew for their resilience and performance despite their inability to win the trophy.
The President said that the Super Eagles had demonstrated sportsmanship and the `Nigerian can do’ attitude during the tournament.
Tinubu added that the players lifted the country to new heights in the field of sports with the performance they put up at the AFCON tournament.
He therefore announced the award of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), a flat, and plot of land to each of them in the Federal Capital Territory.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajuddeen Abbas, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and other top government functionaries were at the reception for the team.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Troost Ekong, the assistant captain of Super Eagles expressed appreciation to the President for his support for the team.
Ekong, who was also the Most Valuable Player of the tournament said the team had desired to come home with the AFCON trophy rather than the silver medal.