President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice-President Kashim Shettima to lead a presidential delegation to the final of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria and hosts Cote d’Ivoire will clash in the final of the competition at the Alassanne Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan, on Sunday.
An earlier report quoted President of the Confederation of African Football Federations (CAF), Patrice Motsepe as stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be attending the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.
During his press conference on Friday at the Palace de la Culture in Trechville, Abidjan, Motsepe was asked when Africa could host the World Cup again.
“Nigeria must put in a bid. The Nigerian president (Bola Tinubu) is coming to watch the final on Sunday. I will have a conversation with him about it,” he was quoted as saying.
However, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President, on Saturday in Abuja confirmed that Vice President Kashim Shettima would be in Cote D’Ivoire for the ceremony .
He said that President Tinubu believes that VP Shettima’s presence at the final alongside the delegation, is a testament to the government’s unwavering support for the team and its dedication to their success.
The Super Eagles will take on hosts Côte d’Ivoire, in a rematch at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday, February 11.
Nkwocha said that the match will rekindle the memories of Nigeria’s 1-0 victory against the hosts in the group stage secured through Captain William Troost-Ekong’s penalty.
”The Federal Government calls on all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, to unite in support of the Super Eagles.
”The government also enjoins all Nigerians to raise their voices in encouragement, and create a wave of national pride that will propel the team to glory,”he said.
Shettima had earlier represented the President at the semi-finals when the Eagles defeated South Africa in a pulsating encounter.