Sport
Nigeria rejoices as they beat Burkina Faso 1-0 to take the Africa Cup of Nations
FIFA later threatened to ban the team over political interference and Jonathan backed down hours before a deadline. Meanwhile, four former high-ranking federation officials were charged with corruption after allegations they embezzled money from the team’s tournament funds in South Africa.
However, Nigeria appeared to bounce back under coach Stephen Keshi. In a statement immediately after the game, Jonathan praised Keshi and the team for playing with “great focus, dedication, artistry and patriotism.”
“President Jonathan urges all Nigerians to imbibe the positive lessons of the Super Eagles’ success because the fulfilment of the country’s immense potentials for greatness will be more speedily attained if more Nigerians resolve to emulate the team’s exemplary unity,” the statement read.
For Nigerians who watched the game, their reaction was simply one of pride, “I’m a proud Nigerian,” fan Cynthia Ejimnkeonye said. “I love this country with my last blood.”
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press
