BY SAB OSUJI

Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike JP, the Nigeria Pillar of Sports, has commended 'gallant' Super Eagles, for following yet another fantastic performance in the ongoing 2023 AFCON as they pipped the Palancas Negras of Angola 1-0 in one of the quarter final matches at the tournament tagged, Cote d'Ivoire 2023, at the Felix Houphouet Biogny Stadium Abidjan on Friday evening.

Chief Ejidike who was returning from a business trip from China, gave the salutation during an interaction with pressmen at the arrival lounge of the international wing of the Muritala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Friday evening. This was shortly after the match, that saw a goal that could have made it 2-0 for Nigeria, by Victor Osimhen, ruled out for an offside.

The solitary goal separating the two side was a clinical finish by Atalanta FC of Italy forward Ademola Lookman, whose brace against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the round of 16 last week Saturday, secured progression to the quarter finals.

With the result, Nigeria advance to the semi finals, awaiting the winer of the quarter final fixture between Cape Verde and South Africa on Saturday.

Chief Ejidike who is also the National Patron of the Nigerian Football Supporters' Club, commended Super Eagles for bringing smiles to the faces of millions Nigerian fans with the performance, and the result against Angola, following what he described as their slow start to competition.

The former President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria, charged the boys not to let their eyes off the ball, as we approach the business end of the competition, where there is little or no margin of errors. 

The Anambra-born Sports philanthropist describes the gritty victory against Angola as a sweet one, and something to be dedicated to the memory of the late Nigerian midfield maestro, Samuel Okwaraji, who collapsed and died, during a World Cup qualifier, against Angola, at the National Stadium Surulere, on the 12th of August 1989. Ejidike said, the Eagle demonstrated the stuff a patriot is made of - something that Okwaraji who died on national duty was known for.

The coach José Peseiro-tutored lads are gunning for Nigeria's fourth AFCON