Three-time champions Nigeria say they have adopted the catch-phrase ‘Let’s Do It Again’ as their battlecry towards winning a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in Cote d’Ivoire early next year.
The proposition was tabled and unanimously endorsed before the final AFCON 2023 qualification match against the Falcons and True Parrots of Sao Tome and Principe in Uyo last month, and was the basis for players and officials donning a tee-shirt with the inscription after the match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. The Eagles won that match 6-0.
Nigeria won the 1980 AFCON that she hosted, and also won the 1994 edition in Tunisia and the 2013 finals in South Africa. Team captain William Ekong says the playing staff and crew have taken to the new mantra like bees to honey.
“We like the phrase because it gives us confidence and the go-go push. We have done it before so we can do it again. Winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire is our goal and we have the team to do just that.”
Defender Kenneth Omeruo added: “I look around and I see players who have the capacity to make it happen. We are all ambitious. The team is a blend of old and wise heads and exciting new talents. We will go for the trophy in Cote d’Ivoire.”
The song continues on Friday when the Super Eagles take on Saudi Arabia in a friendly game at the Estadio Municipal de Portimão in Portugal, with the bulk of the squad that blew away Sao Tome and Principe on ground.
It is only the second time both countries will be clashing at senior international level. The only previous encounter was also a friendly, played in the Alpenstadion, Wattens in Austria on 25th May 2010 as part of final preparations for the Eagles for the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa. Nwankwo Kanu, one of only two players to have featured for Nigeria at three different editions of the FIFA World Cup, captained the Super Eagles in that scoreless encounter.
Incidentally, current Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Jose Peseiro, was Coach of Saudi Arabia that day.
The Eagles have another friendly encounter on Monday, against the Mambas of Mozambique at the same venue, before 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in November.
Follow us on:
Former President Trump has cast his vote in Florida, expressing optimism about his chances in…
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has praised President Tinubu for releasing 76 detained minors after…
Two human rights organisations have criticised EFCC’s detention of former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, calling…
President Tinubu has decorated COAS as a 3-star General, highlighting achievements in security and urging…
The FCCPC has mandated DISCOs to improve consumer engagement and has halted Unistar meter installations…
The Justice Department is set to monitor polling sites in Missouri and Texas to ensure…