AFCON: Super Eagles return from Cameroon

The Super Eagles of Nigeria returned from the ongoing Africa Cup on Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon in the early hours of Tuesday, January 25.

The playing body and officials according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) returned via a chartered flight from Garoua where they played four matches.

They arrived at 1:10 am and were received by officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, accompanied by federation Executive Committee members Yusuf Ahmed and Shehu Dikko led the batch of NFF officials that welcomed them.

A large chunk of the players and officials came down from the aircraft, alongside a large number which comprised members of the Supporters Clubs and media personnel, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said.

The aircraft later headed to Lagos, where it dropped off the few remaining players and officials, while the rest headed to the Transcorp Hilton where they were to be lodged.

Mr Sanusi welcomed the players and praised them for their efforts in Cameroon, saying it was now time to look ahead to the task of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

“You have tried your best. It was just unfortunate that you failed to reach the final. But, right now, what is left is the unfinished business of qualification for Qatar 2022.

“We should put behind us 2021 AFCON, and start preparing for the final qualifiers,” he said.

The team captain, Ahmed Musa, later told NAN that the team had put behind it the disappointment of failing to reach its target at the 2021 AFCON.

“We are now looking forward to the World Cup qualifiers against Ghana’s Black Stars in March. But right now it is back to club business for us,” he said.

The players are expected to return to their respective clubs abroad in the next one or two days.