Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their fighting spirit and resilience despite their 4-2 penalty defeat at the hands of Morocco in the semi-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
The Super Eagles had been fantastic in this tournament, winning all games en route to the semi-final, but lost out via kicks from the penalty mark after a hard-fought 0-0 after 120 minutes.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr Ebojele Patrick, Okpebholo praised the players for displaying courage, commitment, and national pride, noting that football, like life, comes with moments of victory and bitter disappointment.
“The Super Eagles gave their all and fought with heart for the country. While the result may not have gone our way, their determination and unity remain commendable.”
“This is not the time to play the blame game but to keep heads high and look ahead with renewed focus ahead of the third-placed match against Egypt on Saturday.”
Okpebholo urged the team to draw inspiration from their on-field experience, emphasising that setbacks are part of growth in competitive sports.
The governor went on to encourage Nigerians to continue supporting the boys, despite the defeat, stressing that firm public backing plays a vital role in motivating players during challenging moments.
“As a nation, we win together and learn together. The Super Eagles remain a symbol of our unity and resilience,” Okpebholo added.
The Super Eagles resume training today at the Raja Oasis training complex, Casablanca, ahead of the losers’ final at the Mohammed V stadium, Casablanca.