In a boost for the Super Eagles, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Speaker Honourable Benjamin Kalu jetted off to Abidjan to catch the Super Eagles’ high-stakes quarterfinal showdown with Angola at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Fresh off their nail-biting victory over Cameroon in the round of 16, the Super Eagles are riding high into the quarters, backed by the highest echelons of Nigerian politics.
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The arrival of Akpabio and Kalu isn't just a visit; it's a powerful gesture of unity and support from Nigeria's corridors of power.
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They're not alone; the duo is spearheading a delegation crammed with the who's who of Nigerian politics, including principal officers from both the House and the Senate, along with members of sports committees.
They're all converging on the iconic Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, ready to throw their collective weight behind the team.
Jackson Udom, the Senate President's Personal Assistant, captured the moment's significance in his chat with Soccernet.
"In a demonstration of solid support, a delegation led by Senate President Akpabio and Deputy Speaker Kalu, including Principal Officers of the House and Senate, and members of sports committees, will attend the match at the iconic Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Côte d’Ivoire," he said, underlining the delegation's mission to boost morale and show unwavering support for the Eagles.
A Show of Unity Behind the Super Eagles
While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been keeping a close eye on the team's journey, prior commitments have kept him from attending in person.
Nevertheless, the presence of such distinguished figures as Akpabio and Kalu underscores a deep-rooted government commitment to sports and, specifically, to football, which unites the nation like nothing else.
The historical stats lean favourably towards Nigeria, with three victories and five draws against Angola, underscoring a competitive edge that the Super Eagles aim to maintain.
Angola's rare wins, including a memorable 2004 World Cup qualifying victory against Nigeria, remind fans and players alike of the unpredictable nature of football.