‘Use AFCON to appease Nigerians’, Shaibu tells Super Eagles

The Director General of the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has charged the Super Eagles to shift their focus to the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after missing out on the party to next year’s World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Eric Chelle’s boys on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco, lost by 3 goals to 4 to Leopards of DR Congo after 90 minutes of regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time ended 1-1. The result finally sealed the fate of the three-time African champions to next year’s mundial and their second consecutive miss for Nigeria.

Shaibu, who described the miss as painful, however, appealed to Nigerians not to relent in their support for Super Eagles by rallying round the team as they (Eagles) prepare for the AFCON.

He said, “Missing out again from the World Cup is very painful. The boys put in a strong performance, but they lost gallantly. I knew they also wanted to go to the World Cup, but it was not meant to be.

“I want to charge the boys to shift their focus to the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after missing out on the World Cup and use the AFCON to appease Nigerians, fans and supporters by winning their fourth title in Morocco next month.”

“Also, I want to appeal to Nigerians to continue with their support for the national team at all times. It’s an understatement to say that we are all pained by the loss, but I want to ask Nigerians that we should move on and put this defeat behind us,” the NIS DG added.

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