Semifinal tragic deaths: Super Eagles vow to win title in honour of victims

Ahead of Sunday’s AFCON final clash against Ivory Coast billed for the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan, Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa says the team will do everything possible to win the title especially for Nigerians who lost their lives watching the tensed semifinal clash against South Africa on Wednesday.

Players and officials of the Jose Peseiro tutored side held a one minute silence in honour of some Nigerians who died during the semifinal clash that dragged to extra time before ending in penalties that saw the Eagles triumph 4-2 in Bouake.

Among those who died are former House of Representative member (2003 – 2007) Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Deputy Bursar at Kwara State University, Ayuba Abdullahi, Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Auto Promotion, Osondu Nwoye, and a National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) member identified as Samuel who hails from Kaduna State but serving in Numan Adamawa State.

Speaking on the tragic incidents, Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa said:“Good evening everyone, yesterday (Wednesday) we lost four Nigerians because of the game (against South Africa). So we will hold a one minute silence and Chidozie Awaziem will lead us in prayers.“

Musa who has been very motivational for the Super Eagles since the tournament began has continued to call for massive support for the team as their quest to lift the AFCON title for the fourth time. Nigeria already have three titles in the kitty won in 1980, 1994 and 2013. The victory in 2013 was the last won under late Stephen Keshi in South Africa after Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso by a lone goal in front of 85,000 spectators at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.