AFCON 2023: Sports minister secures N200m support for Super Eagles

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh has secured the sum of N200m for the Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of their semi-final clash at the on-going 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Special Adviser Media to the Minister, Diana-Mary Nsan in a statement on Wednesday, said the donation is from the leadership of the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

The minister commended Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Chairman of the Forum, including all members for the swift response, after he raised the need to motivate the team ahead of their semifinal clash.

Enoh confirmed that the N200m has already been redeemed to the players by the Forum.

“I want to thank the Progressive Governors’ Forum under the leadership of Uzodimma of Imo for galvanising and redeeming the sum of N200 million to the Super Eagles.

“The Super Eagles have shown immense commitment and tenacity through every match, this shows that they are on the path to conquer the continent again and bring home the coveted Cup of Nations.

“Therefore, we must rally support for them because upon their shoulders lie the enormous responsibility to make Nigeria our great Nation proud,” Enoh said.

Our correspondent reports that Nigeria will on Wednesday (today) take on perennial rivals, Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake by 6pm (Nigerian time).

The match will be a repeat of the 2000 AFCON semi-finals in Lagos, which saw Nigeria defeat South Africa 2-0.

Also in the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, Nigeria again showed superiority by eliminating the Bafana Bafana 2-1 in the quarter -final stage.