The Super Eagles’ vice-captain Troost Ekong has dispelled insinuations that visits from Very Important Persons to the team’s camp would distract the players from their quest to win the Africa Cup of Nations.
The players hosted the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his entourage, which included Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, after their 1-nil quarterfinal defeat of Angola.
This is in addition to various promises from individuals and brands, but Ekong says they are not distracting to the team.
“No, I mean we're all Nigerians. So yeah, you know you can be a politician, but we're just happy to see our fan club here, to see you guys here, and if everyone keeps rooting for us then we are happy," he told Nigeria Info.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his “very special” message to the team before the Angola match.
“Yeah, he gave us a great message wishing us well. I think that was something very special. It's great to feel that we have a lot of support now.
“I think after some games, we would have loved to have it from the start of the tournament, but you know we are here now, and I think the more people that come, the more power it'll give us.
“And we're going to make everyone proud.”
Nigeria's Super Eagles will battle rivals Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the 40,000 capacity Bouaké Peace Stadium in Bouaké on Wednesday for a place in the AFCON final.
