President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has hailed Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his presence at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo during Super Eagles’ 2026 World Qualifier against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
He equally thanked the governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Bayelsa’s Douye Diri who also turned up physically at the Stadium on Friday to support the Super Eagles.
“Our deep appreciation goes to Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State and his counterparts from Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Douye Diri of Bayelsa State who were physically present at the match venue.
“We remain grateful to them for creating time out of their very busy schedules to turn up at the stadium to cheer the Super Eagles. Their commitment shows how much good and great Nigerians love the game of football and particularly their National Teams, and we believe the Super Eagles will continue to make the nation proud on the playing turf.”
Aiyedatiwa was also joined at the VVIP lounge of the stadium by NFF’s second Vice-President Gbenga Elegbeleye as well as Ondo State Football Association Chairman Sunday Dele-Ajayi.
Gusau will, on Sunday, lead the Nigeria delegation to Abidjan for the Match Day 4 encounter of the FIFA World Cup qualifying series which pitches Super Eagles against Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
That match will take place at the familiar surroundings of the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny – where the Super Eagles won three matches at the Africa Cup Of Nations earlier this year – on Monday evening.
On Friday, South Africa took the lead on the half-hour when Themba Zwane teased the Nigerian rearguard before slamming past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
It was indeed a game of two halves as Bafana Bafana dominated the first half, while the Super Eagles were very dominant in the second period, starting with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s memorable equalizer a minute after the restart, before a rash of opportunities that could easily have won them the three points.