AFCON: Obi mourns fans who died for Nigeria, congratulates Ivory Coast, hails Super Eagles

By Tony Okafor, Awka

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has mourned the fans of the Super Eagles who died supporting the national team.

Our correspondent gathered that about five fans of the Super Eagles died of cardiac- related conditions during the semi-final of the tournament between Nigeria and South Africa.

In his post-tournament appraisal, Obi prayed God to grant the fallen compatriots eternal rest and grant their families and Nigerians in general the fortitude to bear their irreplaceable loss.

While congratulating the winners of the competition, Ivory Coast, Obi hailed the Super Eagles, who came second, for what he called their gallant performance in the tournament.

The former Anambra State Governor, states, “And with our final match against our dear African brothers, Cote d’Ivoire, today ( Sunday), we come to the end of the AFCON tournament.

“Our national team, the Super Eagles, put in their best efforts with high energy, stamina, and tactics, but in the end, Cote d’Ivoire emerged victorious and won the cup. I congratulate our national team, and indeed every Nigerian, for our great display of talents and football skills which took us far in the tournament.

“The eventual outcome of the game did not in any way remove the fact that Nigeria is a home of talents, as exemplified by our national team. Once again, our players, with their outstanding performance, energy, and zeal, reflected the resilient spirit of the Nigerian people, the giants of Africa, who even in the face of obstacles continue to persevere to success, in every area of life. It was a fierce battle on the football pitch, and I salute their professionalism, dedication, and drive for success.

“I sincerely appreciate, and congratulate the Nigeria Football Federation, the Super Eagles Coach, the management, the technical and medical crew, and all who sacrificed tirelessly to actualize our victory today. Their labours were not in vain.

“As a nation, the fire of unity was rekindled among us, as we all united as one big family to support our national team and pray for their victory. In our journey to the New Nigeria we look forward to, we must unite as one, and collectively build our nation.

“We will overcome all the challenges that contend with our progress if we unite.

“To our fellow compatriots who lost their lives in the course of the football matches, we remember and mourn them today. These our countrymen, wishing nothing but victory to our dear nation, lost their lives while praying for our victory. We are saddened that they are not physically with us today to witness the great show of sportsmanship displayed by our national team.

“May God grant them eternal rest and grant their families, and all of us, the fortitude to bear their irreplaceable loss. I say a very big congratulations to the AFCON Champions, Cote d’Ivoire.

“They fought gallantly and emerged winners at the end. I salute them and wish them and their nation the very best as we all continue to build the New Africa we all desire.”