Sports Minister Enoh Encourages Super Eagles to Maintain Focus for AFCON 2023

Minister of Sports John Enoh Encourages Super Eagles to Stay Focused in Pursuit of Fourth Africa Cup of Nations Title. The team faces Cameroon in a Round of 16 showdown at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, this Saturday.

Jose Peseiro’s side scraped through the group stage, recording two wins and a draw.

Enoh, who had a meeting with the players and their officials via Zoom on Wednesday night, urged them to continue working hard and win the trophy for President Bola Tinubu.

“I went to the Villa for another thing yesterday and I met the president, he told me you managed to qualify for the Round of 16 and I said to him that’s how we are going to continue until we win the tournament,” Enoh stated.

“He said I should tell the players that he wasn’t too impressed with the last match but I know that now that they are in the knockout round, they will improve on their performance.

“That is what the president told me and what that means is that the president himself is actually watching all your matches.

“He is actually impressed. He knew you were cautious in the group stage but things will improve now. The president is watching you play.

“I remember that Egypt managed to qualify from the group stage at the last edition and went all the way to the final.

“I also need to tell you what is happening back home. Every Nigerian is rooting for you. Every Nigerian is believing that you are going to do it like the slogan of the NFF.

“There is little that I can say beyond what the coaches are saying to you now. I have had the course to tell people that there is nobody that wants to win this tournament more than Jose Peseiro. Nobody wants it more than him.

“I will like to urge you to listen to him, don’t lose focus. Let your eyes remain on the ball. You need to ignore social media at this stage so that you don’t lose concentration.

“You are going to see comments from Nigerians who are too eager to win. Don’t get distracted, remain focused. You need to use this competition to make name for yourselves.

“Remember what it will be if you win our fourth AFCON title and go down in history as those young men that gave our country the remarkable achievement of winning the AFCON for the fourth time. You know this will not be an unforgettable moment.

“Your next game is against Cameroon, let’s use every match to prove ourselves. I’m happy that our president, though has not come to Abidjan but stays back in the Villa to watch you play.

“That shows the level of interest he has. Like I told you in Lagos, let us win for this man, let us win for our country.

“I believe you can do it. I watched videos of Segun Odegbami, Austine Okocha addressing you guys. I shared the sentiment of what they said about the team. Odegbami has always believed in this team.

“For the sake of these people, let’s go to battle and win. I want to thank you all for the discipline you have exhibited in camp. I want to urge you to start looking at February 11. See yourself playing in that final.”