Nigeria’s national football (soccer) team, the Super Eagles, triumphed over Burkina Faso during the final match of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday night. The Khaleej Times reports that Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, praised the team for their first AFCON win in 19 years. Nigeria has won the Cup twice before, first in 1980 and most recently in 1994. Many of the team’s members were honored individually, including the injured Emmanuel Emenike, who was given the Golden Boot award. Emenike, along with teammates Efe Ambrose, Victor Moses, John Mikel Obe, and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, were identified as five of the tournament’s best 11.
The Khaleej Times writes:
“According to Jonathan, the die-hard Nigerian spirit, which makes the citizens to fight hard and overcome all challenges, had assisted Stephen Keshi’s team to emerge strong and steady.
While thanking the government of South Africa and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a well-organised tournament, Jonathan said he looked forward to receiving the national team at the Presidential Villa here Tuesday.
The Nigerian leader also commended the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation and others who contributed to the astonishing transformation of the team from underdogs to winners.”
Read more at The Khaleej Times.
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