By Chesa Chesa
The national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja was Wednesday converted to a public viewing centre for the Super Eagles match against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the ongoing African Cup of Nations football tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
The gesture was courtesy of the National Youth Leader of APC, Dayo Israel, who also invited some party leaders to the event, that saw the Super Eagles victorious over their South African counterpart 4:2, after a pulsating 90 minutes, 30 of minutes extra time and eventual penalty shootout in the semifinal game.
Israel explained that he organised the event to show APC’s solidarity with the Super Eagles, and provide Nigerian football fans across party lines a convivial atmosphere to show their support as well while enjoying the game they love so much.
From the Presidency were officials like the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the President, Mr. Tunde Rahman, while a former ambassador, many APC youth wing members, secretariat staff, journalists and other football fans from neighbouring streets and districts were in attendance to watch the match.
The party secretariat’s car park was decorated with Super Eagles banners and two large-screen television sets strategically mounted while the Youth Leader provided guests with spicy beef kebab and refreshments during the event.
It eventually turned out a carnival affair as the Nigerian team defeated South Africa, with joyous fans celebrating well into the night after the game, and dancing to the music belching from large loudspeakers.
As the fans departed the secretariat, some of them were heard wishing the viewing centre would be reactivated for the final match between Nigeria and host nation, Côte d’Ivoire, beaming with excitement and confidence that the Super Eagles will left the AFCON trophy.
Reacting to the night’s victory, national chairman of APC, Umar Ganduje, hailed the Super Eagles for their resilience, pointing out that the efforts and result justified the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, said Ganduje commended President Tinubu for giving the Super Eagles the necessary support to triumph in the tournament.
“I congratulate the Super Eagles over their victory against Bafana Bafana of South Africa. I want to particularly commend them for the strength in character they displayed today and in the previous matches, that is an indication of the true spirit of Nigerians.
“I urge them to go ahead and bring back home the coveted trophy. The country is proud of their doggedness. Up Super Eagles! Up Nigeria!”, the chairman said.
