By Sussan Omopeloye
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau believes that Super Eagles will be victorious over the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the Africa Cup of Nations Final on Sunday.
Gausau said that this will once more confirm to Nigerians at home and abroad the ultra-potency of the much-talked-about Nigerian Spirit.
“We have always been talking about the Nigerian Spirit but many people simply pay lip service to it. The Nigerian Spirit is of high significance; it is the overpowering conviction that we can get things done with our will-power, hard work, diligence and perseverance.
“Presently, we may be having challenges in certain sectors and facets of our national life, but the Nigerian Spirit can propel us to overcome those challenges and then reach for glory. That is what the Super Eagles have shown here. At the beginning of the tournament, very few people believed in the team. Now, six matches after, we are looking at the trophy and I believe it will definitely be ours.”
Cote d’ivoire will be on a revenge mission after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in the Group stage.
Sunday’s encounter will be Nigeria’s eighth Final appearance in the 67-year old continental flagship competition, with only seven-time champions Egypt and four-time champions Ghana with more Final-day games. Egypt have been in the Final a total of 10 times, losing out only thrice. Ghana have been in the Final nine times, winning only four times.