Unknown to many football fans, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, had, shortly after Nigeria Super Eagles defeated the Palancas Negras of Angola at the quarter final stage of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON), predicted a Nigeria/Cote d’Ivoire final.
He spoke with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), via Zoom, shortly after the qualification of the Super Eagles of Nigeria for the semi finals of the 2024 AFCON.
Akpabio had categorically declared that he was very sure of the qualification of the Super Eagles for the final and was also very certain that the final would be between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.
Akpabio had also assured the team of the support of the Federal Government and Nigerians in their quest to winning the coveted AFCON trophy.
He stated: “I congratulate our players for emerging victorious today over the Palancas Negras.
“I led a very powerful Federal Government delegation to Coted’Ivoire, just to reassure the team that the Federal Government and Nigerians were solidly behind them and would stand by them till the final.
“The visit was also to further reassure our teeming youths that the current government in Nigeria is a youth-friendly one and would do everything within its powers to assist them to develop their potentials for national development.”
The Senate President had also said: “Nigeria will meet Cote d’Ivoire at the finals. Nigeria will defeat them, but would leave the trophy behind for them to celebrate with it.
“(This is) in recognition of their fantastic hosting of the football tournament, after which the cup would be returned to Nigeria as the champions.”
As predicted by Akpabio, the Super Eagles, on Wednesday, defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, to set up a clash with the Elephant of Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday to determine the King of the round leather game in the continent.
The sports-loving Senate President had, during his tenure as the governor of Akwa Ibom State, built a world-class stadium in the state to enhance sports development.
