March 26, (THEWILL) – Comrade Bunmi Haruna, Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT chapter, praised the Super Eagles for a positive first-leg result in their Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Ghana.
Commenting on the performance and the importance of securing a ticket to the World Cup in Qatar, he urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to mobilise fans to fill the Moshood Abiola National Stadium for the reverse fixture.
As THEWILL reported, the Super Eagles and the Black Stars played out a stalemate on Friday night at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana, and the teams are set to meet again on Tuesday in Abuja for the definitive tie.
Haruna, speaking after the game, urged the Super Eagles to fulfil the dreams of football fans in the country by defeating the Black Stars and securing a trip to Qatar.
The SWAN boss said: “The Super Eagles should make their return after 10 years to the country’s number one stadium, a befitting and triumphant one by trouncing the Black Stars and confirm that Nigeria’s flag is hoisted in Qatar.
“We know it is not yet over and that is why we are urging the Eagles to come finish the job in Abuja and the NFF to mobilise fans for the game if possible by throwing the gates open. We have to give the Super Eagles maximum support to win in Abuja.”
Haruna continued: “Let me also use this opportunity to commend the Federal Government, through the minister of Youth and Sports Chief Sunday Dare who worked hard to ensure that the Eagles play at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium for the first time in over 10 years.
“The refurbishing of the stadium has brought football and social life back to the capital city and we know the Eagles will crown that effort by defeating Ghana on Tuesday.”
The Kogi State-born sportscaster also praised the Football Federation for the organisation of the playoffs: “We also want to commend the NFF for overseeing a hitch-free game in the first leg and encourage them to provide the team with all needed support for the second leg.
“We saw how the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi was filled up by the Ghanaians and their cheers boosted their team. There is need for Nigerians to create an unbearable atmosphere for the Ghanaians come Tuesday. This will be achieved if the fans are allowed to come in free to cheer their team.
“We urge the Sports minister, Chief Sunday Dare, who has on various occasions demonstrated that he has listening ears, to throw open the gates, so that the 60,000 capacity stadium could be filled up by Nigerians.
“As media partners we will continue to support our team and ensure they not only qualify for the world cup, but also perform well,” Haruna added.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
