AFCON Final: Rufai, Yobo Offer Encouragement To Eagles

AFCON Final: Rufai, Yobo Offer Encouragement To Eagles....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Premier League has lauded Super Eagles’ Iwobi, Aina, and others for securing a spot in the AFCON final….CONTINUE READING

The impending final of the 2023 AFCON in Abidjan carries the suspense of a Nollywood blockbuster. With both teams previously in the same group, Nigeria finished second to Equatorial Guinea, while Ivory Coast barely advanced as one of the best third-place finishers.

In a pivotal match during the tournament’s second round, Nigeria clinched a narrow victory against Ivory Coast with a well-converted penalty by William Troost-Ekong. Through unwavering dedication and a strong sense of purpose, the Eagles have navigated their way to the final showdown. Now, the question looms: who will emerge victorious and claim the title of the new African champion?

Nigeria and Ivory Coast share a storied history. In April 1994, Nigeria triumphed over Ivory Coast in the semi-finals in Tunisia, fielding a lineup of football luminaries such as the late Rashidi Yekini, Sunday Oliseh, George Finidi, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Emmanuel Amuneke, and Daniel Amokachi. This team is widely regarded as Nigeria’s finest in recent memory.

In 2013, under the late Coach Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles once again bested Ivory Coast in the semi-finals en route to clinching the trophy in South Africa. To glean insights ahead of the final, we reached out to Peter Rufai, the stalwart goalkeeper of the 1994 squad, and Joseph Yobo, the captain of the 2013 team, for their words of wisdom to the current Eagles squad, who are set to tread the same path to victory. Their messages were eloquent and poignant.

First, the message from Yobo:

“I believe the Super Eagles have already put in the hard work required to reach the final. They must maintain their focus, determination, and manage the game effectively, as Ivory Coast will be seeking revenge for our past victories. Our goal is to claim the trophy.

“This team has demonstrated remarkable growth throughout the tournament. Despite a slow start, which is typical of great teams, they have found their rhythm and unity. They have executed nearly everything flawlessly.”

Yobo emphasized the importance of personal achievement, as opportunities to become continental champions are rare.

“It’s crucial for the players to seize this chance, as it may be their last opportunity to become champions before retirement. I speak from experience, as it took me until my 6th AFCON to secure victory, despite having 4 bronze medals. Bronze and silver cannot compare to gold. Therefore, if you find yourself in a position to win the final, give it your all, as this may be your final chance in your career.”

He also commended the coaching staff, led by Jose Peseiro, for guiding the team to this stage.

“Credit must be given to the coach for steering the team to this level. Despite imperfections, they have tightened their defense, minimizing goals conceded. Our objective should be to secure a lead and manage it effectively, preventing a repeat of past setbacks. The final will be fiercely contested.”