Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-09 21:18:27
Marco Silva, the manager of Fulham, has expressed his full support for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as they prepare to face hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the AFCON final on Sunday. This is the first time the Eagles have reached the AFCON final since 2013, and their journey has been marked by a thrilling victory over South Africa in a penalty shootout.
The AFCON semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa was decided by a penalty shootout after 120 minutes of football ended in a 1-1 draw. The victory secured the Eagles’ spot in the final and set the stage for a highly anticipated match against Côte d’Ivoire. Two key players in the Eagles’ squad, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, have played instrumental roles in the team’s success and are expected to be in action in the final against the Ivorians.
Silva discussed the impact of Iwobi and Bassey’s absence from Fulham’s squad as they compete in the AFCON final. He acknowledged the challenge of missing two key players, but emphasized the club’s support for their participation in the final. “It’s mixed feelings for us,” Silva stated during a press conference ahead of Fulham’s league game with Bournemouth. “It’s been a long time without two key players for us. Right now, we are supporting them in the final.”
Côte d’Ivoire, the Eagles’ opponents in the final, are seeking to avenge their group stage defeat against Nigeria, where the Eagles claimed a 1-0 victory. Despite a challenging group stage campaign, Côte d’Ivoire managed to secure their place in the final through wins against Senegal, Mali, and DR Congo in the knockout phase.
As Nigeria prepares for the AFCON final, the support and encouragement from Marco Silva and Fulham will undoubtedly bolster the Eagles’ determination to secure victory against Côte d’Ivoire. The positive impact of Iwobi and Bassey in the team’s journey to the final further highlights the significance of their participation in the upcoming match. With the support of their manager and club, along with the talent and determination of their players, the Super Eagles are poised for a compelling and competitive final against Côte d’Ivoire.
