By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined football-loving Nigerians to congratulate the Super Eagles as they beat the Chipolopolo of Zambia 1- 0 to book Nigeria’s 6th World Cup appearance.

President Buhari

The Super Eagles endued a first-half siege by the Zambians at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Alex Iwobi scored with 15 minutes left to send Nigerians into a frenzy.

The President, described the hard-earned victory as “very sweet, soothing and a 57th Independence Anniversary gift to the nation,”. He applauded the nation’s senior men’s football team for the feat of making Nigeria the first African country to qualify for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament, with a match left to play.

President Buhari called on all Nigerians to apply the values of perseverance, resilience, discipline, hard work and team-spirit which propelled the footballers to excel since the beginning of the qualifying matches, to all sectors of national life. He promised that the Federal Government will continue to support the team within available resources so that the nation will maximise the unifying potentials of sports in general and football in particular.

He enjoined the entire team and Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials to remain steadfast and focused when they begin preparations for the global football fiesta in order to make Nigeria proud.