Pinnick dedicates Eagles’ AFCON qualification to Buhari, Nigerians

Mr. Amaju Pinnick has dedicated the successful qualification of the Super Eagles for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to President Muhammadu Buhari and the people of Nigeria.

The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made the remark in a statement released by the NFF’s media department after the Eagles sealed their spot in the tournament with a 1-1 draw against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.

An own goal from Buhle Mkhwanazi off a Samuel Kalu’s cross in the 9th minute put the Super Eagles ahead, but an easy tap in from Lebo Mothiba in the 26th minute earned the hosts a share of the spoils.

With the result, the Eagles are now on 10 points, which means they cannot finish below second on the group, while South Africa, on 9 points, will battle it out with Libya, on 7, for the other ticket of the Group E.

“This is great day for Nigerian Football,” Pinnick said.

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“Just as happened in the qualifying series for the FIFA World Cup, we have won the ticket to the AFCON with a match to spare.

“This victory is for President Muhammadu Buhari and the Government and people of Nigeria.

“We commend the technical crew and the players, and I must praise Governor Simon Lalong who is here with his wife to support the team. He has been a pillar of support.

“I also congratulate the members of the NFF Executive Committee, NFF Management and Staff, members of the NFF Congress, Football Stakeholders and the media.

“We will begin the preparations for the AFCON immediately. As I have said several times, we do not want the AFCON ticket just to go there and make up the number, but to make a massive impact at the finals.”

Nigeria won the Nations Cup in 2013, and had failed to qualify in the last two editions of the tournament.

Gernot Rohr’s men have now joined hosts Cameroon, Madagascar, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Uganda as the teams already guaranteed slots at next year’s finals, billed to be hosted by Cameroon from June to July 2019.

The Super Eagles will fly back to the country on Sunday and begin preparations ahead of their friendly game with the Cranes of Uganda in Asaba on Tuesday.

 

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