Football News Highlights: Nigeria’s Silver Medalists Honored, Promising to Deliver AFCON Title Next Time
In a grand gesture, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has rewarded the country’s silver medal-winning team from the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with national honors and gifts. The 25 players and team officials, including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president and general secretary, were received at the State House in Abuja and conferred with the prestigious Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) award.
Captain Ahmed Musa and defender Kenneth Omeruo, who already hold MON awards from their AFCON title win in 2013, are set to have their honors upgraded to Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Additionally, the players and officials were gifted a flat and a plot of land each in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.
In his address, President Tinubu expressed immense pride in the team’s performance, stating, “This country is proud of you because you gave us great excitement. Your performance is confirmation that we can achieve so much as a nation if we all come together and unite for positive purposes, despite our diversity.“
Vice captain William Troost-Ekong, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, responded with a promise to deliver the AFCON title at the next edition. “I believe that at the next competition, we will strike gold,” he said.
This recognition marks the first time a team that has not won the AFCON title has been conferred with the national award. Nigeria’s silver medal takes their AFCON medal haul to a record-extending 16, three more than Egypt, who have seven titles.
As the attention now turns to the upcoming major football events, including Euro 2024, the Champions League, the FIFA World Cup, and the Women’s World Cup, Nigerian fans will be eagerly anticipating their national team’s return to the pinnacle of African football.
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