Despite losing to Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, the Member of House of Representatives, representing Ibadan North East/South East, Rep. Abass Adigun Agboworin, on Monday, lauded the efforts of the Nigeria’s Super Eagles team, saying Nigerians are still proud of them.
Cote d’Ivoire, the host nation, had on Sunday night, clinched the trophy after coming from behind to defeat the Super Eagles in the final of the continental male football competition.
But, in his reaction through a statement signed by his media team, Agboworin, the Chairman of House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, who was at Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to watch the match, at the instance of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, commended the Nigerian team for uniting Nigerians across ethnic, religious background, and political affiliations.
While acknowledging that the country has been more united by their remarkable performance, the federal lawmaker noted that the team gave a good account of themselves during the tournament.
He urged them not to feel discouraged by the defeat, but learn from their mistakes and continue to make efforts to improve on their strategies.
The statement read, “I want to say that our players, based on their performance at the tournament, tried their best but could not, by chance, coast home to victory.
“Yes, I can say they have given a good account of themselves. They deserved the victory and worked for it but narrowly lost the AFCON trophy.
“I must say, in any case, that they have proven that Nigeria remains the giant of Africa in sports and other endeavours based on the obvious efforts you put into the game.
“Equally, I am glad that Nigerians, during the tournament, showed a great deal of unity in diversity across ethnic, age, religious affiliations, which have, once again, proven we are one great nation.
“They have done extremely well but there is still a room for improvement. I want to urge them to continue to learn from their mistakes and don’t feel discouraged because Nigerians are still proud of them.”
