Nigerian leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari, have congratulated the national football Super Eagles for booking their sixth World Cup appearance
Nigeria secured the Russia 2018 berth after beating the Chipolopolo of Zambia 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.
Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi scored the decisive that saw Nigeria became the first African nation to book a spot at the 2018 Fifa World Cup.
President Buhari described the hard-earned victory as “very sweet, soothing and a 57th Independence Anniversary gift to the nation”.
He applauded the team for making Nigeria the first African country to qualify for Russia 2018, and with a match left to play. President Buhari called on all Nigerians to apply the values of perseverance, resilience, discipline, hard work and team-spirit, which propelled the footballers to excel since the beginning of the qualifying matches, to all sectors of national life.
The president promised that the government would continue to support the Super Eagles so that the nation can maximise the unifying potential of sports in general and football in particular. Former President Goodluck Jonathan also praised the team for qualifying for the Russia World Cup.
In a message via his official Twitter handle, Jonathan applauded the fighting spirit of the Super Eagles, saying the team exemplified the “can do Nigerian spirit”.
“I am not surprised that you have qualified. Thank you @NGSuperEagles.,’ he tweeted.