Fans on social media platform, X, have charged the Federal Government to keep the promises it made to the Super Eagles, who reached the Africa Cup of Nations final after a penalty shootout win over South Africa in Ivory Coast on Wednesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Eagles secured a pulsating 4-2 penalty shootout win over Bafana Bafana at the Stade de la Paix, Bouke, to set up a final clash with hosts Ivory Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe.
Vice President Kashim Shettima met with the Super Eagles following their win over Bafana Bafana and promised that the Federal Government would reward them.
The Eagles disclosed this in a statement and photos shared on their official X handle on Thursday.
The statement read, “The Federal Government has promised to reward the Super Eagles for their commitment and dedication in reaching the final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
“Vice President Kashim Shettima told the players and their officials in the dressing room, following their hard-fought victory over South Africa in the semi-finals on Wednesday, that the government and people of Nigeria are proud of their accomplishment.
“The VP was in company with Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Minister for Youths, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim as well as oil mogul, Wale Tinubu, FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick, and NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau.”
Nigerians then took to the comment section of the post to urge the FG to keep this promise and not let it be one of the many unfulfilled promises.
A fan named Derik with the username @Derik_more wrote, “This promise should be kept and not just on the pages of newspapers.”
Emperor Ikenna reposted the statement and simply added, “Pay them!”
A female fan Nwanyi Enyinwa added, ”They should not rate the Nigerian government and their promises please, we don’t need to remind them of how many failed promises they have made in the past. They should play for the people!”
Mune Nejere wrote, “They deserve everything for their hard work.”
Tammy Solomon noted that the government was always quick to promise but found it difficult fulfilling them.
“The Federal Govt has always promised or pledged but it’s the fulfilment of those promises/pledges that is the issue,” Solomon wrote.
The clash against the Ivorians will be the eighth time the Eagles will play in an AFCON final, having previously appeared in seven. They won three of the final games in 1980, 1994 and 2013, while they lost four in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000.
