President Muhammadu Buhari Breaks Silence Following Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations Ouster

• President Muhammadu Buhari says he has directed officials to critically assess how the Super Eagles crashed out of AFCON 2021
• Nigeria were eliminated from the tournament by North African side Tunisia following a 46th-minute strike by Youssef Msakni
• The Super Eagles will now focus on the World Cup third-place playoff against Ghana in March and Buhari wants Nigerians to encourage the team

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to encourage the Super Eagles to bounce back, after the team crashed out of the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, PM News reports.

A 46th-minute strike by Youssef Msakni was enough for the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia to knock the tournament-favourites out of the biennial tournament.

Buhari had, via a video call, spoken with the team shortly before their Round of 16 clash against the North African side, however they could not move past that stage.

And disappointed Nigerians have taken to every possible channel to blast a number of players, while some have attacked the coach.

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In his reaction to the loss, President Buhari says Nigerians should not write the team off, adding that he has directed officials to take a critical assessment of all that happened to the team in Cameroon.

Buhari wrote on Facebook:

“Even though the Super Eagles did not live up to our expectations in the AFCON match last night, they all, officials and players alike, deserve commendation for the tough fight they put up.

“Indeed they gave everyone the confidence that they were up to it, and I am sure it was something they could have achieved. Nonetheless, we should not write them off.

“What we should all do instead, as Nigerians, is to encourage them to bounce back and do better next time.

“I have directed the football authorities to undertake a critical assessment of the AFCON performance, to enable better outcomes in the future, starting with the forthcoming World Cup qualification matches.

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“I am also using this opportunity to urge the general public to send your suggestions to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), so that they can reflect and plan well for a better outing in the World Cup.

“God bless our Super Eagles, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that Augustine Eguavoen has disclosed that he has quit his role as the coach of the Super Eagles after Nigeria were disappointingly knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations, All Africa reports.

The three-time champions were heavy favourites going into Sunday’s encounter after a brilliant group stage run that saw the Eagles finish with 9 points from 3 games played.

Eguavoen who was appointed interim head coach of the Super Eagles following the sacking of Gernot Rohr has now quit the role.