The firm exhortation by Nigeria FA boss Amaju Pinnick to win the African Nations Championship trophy for President Muhammadu Buhari will be ringing in the ears of the Super Eagles as they file out against host nation Morocco in the Final on Sunday.

CAF Executive Committee member and AFCON President Pinnick met with the players and commended them after the win over Sudan in Marrakech on Wednesday. But the big message was that they could not afford to go this far only to go down to the host country.

Nigeria’s team poses before the African Nations Championship semifinal match against Sudan at Marrakech Stadium on January 31, 2018, in Marrakech. / AFP PHOTO

“On behalf of the NFF Executive Committee and the entire Nigerian Football family, I praise you for your tremendous efforts in getting this far in the face of numerous challenges. You are great ambassadors of our dear nation.

“However, the truth is that you have raised the expectations of the Government and people of Nigeria back home, and now you just have to do all that it will take to win the Cup. President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) has been following with keen interest your campaign here, and the only way to compensate him for his support and encouragement is to go back home with the CHAN trophy.”

While the Super Eagles must beware of ambitious Atlas Lions in the shape of eight –goal Ayoub El Kaabi, Walid El Karti, Zakaria Hadraf, Salaheddine Saidi, Ismail El Haddad and Abdeljalil Jbria that Coach Jamal Sellami will send out, the Lions themselves have to worry about in –form Nigerian striker Gabriel Okechukwu, as well as Anthony Okpotu, Dayo Ojo, Rabiu Ali, Osas Okoro and Augustine Oladapo.

Youth and Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung, will lead the Nigerian support at the Stade Mohamed V on Sunday. Kick –off is 8pm Nigeria time.

Both teams have an extra motivation in form of a $1.25million winner’s prize. The runner –up will go home with $750,000.