Tinubu develops cold feet & will not attend AFCON finals…Vice president shettima to lead Nigerian delegation
President Bola Tinubu will not show up at the final match of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast’s capital Abidjan on Sunday.
Tinubu was expected to be present when Nigeria’s Super Eagles square up against the hosts on Sunday.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who watched the Eagles dispatch South Africa’s Bafana Bafana live, will be leading a Nigerian delegation to Ivory Coast.
“[Tinubu] believes that Vice President Shettima’s presence at the finals alongside the delegation is a testament to the government’s unwavering support for the team and its dedication to their success,” a spokesman for the president Stanley Nkwocha said on Saturday.
Ivory Coast and Nigeria have already met in 2024, in the second round of group matches, and the match delivered only one goal, a penalty converted by Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong.
Eleven years after they were last crowned continental champions, Nigeria are hoping to win their fourth title, and in doing so match the tally of old rivals Ghana.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will join the Super Eagles on three titles if they become the first host nation to lift the trophy since Egypt beat them on penalties in 2006.
Some Nigerians interviewed expressed satisfaction with sudden development of Tinubu’s cold feet as they said his presence in the final may bring ill luck to the Super Eagles.
.
