THE Nigerian ambassador to Portugal, Alex Kefas, urged the Super Eagles to ensure they realise their objectives of winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the 2026 World Cup when he hosted the squad yesterday in Lisbon.
The Super Eagles played two friendly matches in Portugal during the international break, drawing 2-2 with Saudi Arabia last Friday and beating Mozambique 3-2 on Monday.
Speaking while hosting the delegation of players and their officials, as well as the Nigeria Football Federation President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, Executive Committee member Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, Ambassador Kefas lauded the leadership qualities of Alhaji Gusau and charged him to consolidate efforts to ensure the Eagles keep winning.
“We want a Super Eagles team that will, once more, be the joy of all Nigerians at home and abroad. Nigerians love their football and they love their national teams, and I charge you to start winning the major trophies to make us all happy,” Kefas said.
“The leadership qualities of the NFF President, Alhaji Gusau, are not in doubt. I know he has what it takes to ensure the Eagles keep winning, beginning with the Africa Cup and the ticket to the FIFA World Cup.”
With few weeks to the commencement of the qualifying race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, the Super Eagles won their first friendly match since February 2019, defeating Mozambique 3-2 in Portimao on Monday with goals from Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka and Moses Simon.
Three days earlier, Saudi Arabia scored a last-gasp equaliser to hold the three-time African champions to a 2-2 draw at the same venue.
The Super Eagles will face hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea in Group A of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in January and February next year.
They begin their World Cup qualifying campaign in November with fixtures against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
PHOTO: Ambassador Kefas, his wife, NFF President Gusau, NFF Exco member Inuwa, GS Sanusi, some players and technical and backroom staff of the Super Eagles and embassy staff in Lisbon yesterday.
