Mrs. Sabina Chikere applauds Super Eagles' tenacity and grit

...Urges the Team to put behind their semifinal heartbreak

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye

A famous name in the Edo State sporting firmament and beyond, Mrs. Sabina Ekhaisomi Chikere, on Thursday showered praises on the Super Eagles' of Nigeria despite their AFCON semifinal loss.

Mrs. Chikere, the Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations, Edo State Sports Commission, (ESSC), expressed her admiration about the team's performance stating that they made the nation proud.

She gave this submission in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, adding that they deserve praise from Nigerians.

Hosts, Morocco edged Nigeria 4-2 on penalties in Rabat to book a long-awaited place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

After a tense, semi-final ended goalless, Yassine Bounou was the difference, diving to deny Samuel Chukwueze before stretching again to keep out Bruno Onyemaechi and swing the shootout firmly in Morocco’s way.

Youssef En-Nesyri stepped up and made no mistake, stroking the decisive kick low into the corner sending the Atlas Lions into their first Afcon final since 2004.

She described Nigeria's performance as an affirmation of our football excellence, stressing that the game will go down in the history books as the most intensive and nail-biting semifinals at the AFCON.

Mrs. Sabina Chikere went on to add that the outstanding performance of the team is the result of the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria's Sports Economy (RHINSE), by His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, through the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the National Institute of Sports (NIS).

"You gave a good account of yourselves, the team and the country, and you should be happy and be proud of what you did in Morocco,” Mrs. Chikere said.

She urged the team to complete their mission in Morocco with a win over Egypt on Saturday.

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