By Milcah Tanimu
Nigeria’s Super Eagles, the three-time champions of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), have enthusiastically adopted the catchphrase “Let’s Do It Again” as their rallying cry in their quest for a fourth AFCON title in Cote d’Ivoire next year.
This catchphrase was proposed and unanimously endorsed before the final AFCON 2023 qualification match against Sao Tome and Principe’s Falcons and True Parrots in Uyo last month. Following the match, players and officials sported T-shirts bearing the inscription “Let’s Do It Again” after the Eagles’ impressive 6-0 victory at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria secured AFCON titles in 1980 (when they hosted the tournament), 1994 (in Tunisia), and 2013 (in South Africa). Team captain William Ekong expressed that the team has embraced this new motto with enthusiasm and determination, saying, “We like the phrase because it gives us confidence and the go-go push. We have done it before, so we can do it again. Winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire is our goal, and we have the team to do just that.”
Defender Kenneth Omeruo echoed these sentiments, stating, “I look around and I see players who have the capacity to make it happen. We are all ambitious. The team is a blend of experienced, seasoned players and exciting new talents. We will go for the trophy in Cote d’Ivoire.”
The Super Eagles will continue their journey this Friday when they face Saudi Arabia in a friendly game at the Estadio Municipal de Portimão in Portugal. The majority of the squad that secured a convincing victory over Sao Tome and Principe will be present. This match marks only the second time these nations have clashed at the senior international level. The previous encounter, also a friendly, took place on May 25, 2010, in Austria as part of the Super Eagles’ preparations for the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa. Nwankwo Kanu, one of the two players who have represented Nigeria in the FIFA World Cup, captained the Super Eagles in that goalless draw.
Interestingly, the current Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, was the coach of the Saudi Arabia team that day.
Following this friendly, the Super Eagles will have another friendly match on Monday, facing Mozambique’s Mambas at the same venue. Their focus will then shift to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe scheduled for November.
