This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
July 11, 2019, marked a night of jubilation in Nigeria as hundreds of fans took to the streets to celebrate the Super Eagles' 2-1 victory over South Africa's Bafana Bafana in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter finals.
The match, played in Egypt, saw Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze and William Troost-Ekong score crucial goals in each half, eliminating South Africa from the tournament and advancing to the semi-finals.
President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated the team, expressing hope that they would lift the cup. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said, "the mission of having 'the trophy in our hands for the fourth time is almost accomplished for the high-flying Eagles".
President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, praised the team's victory, saying it reinforced the confidence of Nigerians in their ability to win. "Nigerians have never doubted your commitment and patriotism in making Nigeria proud in the field of soccer, and I urge you not to relent until you achieve total victory," he said.
Football fans, including Kayode Agboola and Samson Amoo, expressed their delight at the team's performance, praising the young star Chukwueze and coach Gernot Rohr's strategies.
