Nigeria's Sports Minister, John Enoh, has encouraged the Super Eagles to secure victory in the upcoming 2023 AFCON, set to kick off in Ivory Coast in January 2024. Enoh made this statement following the Super Eagles' impressive 6-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe in their final 2023 AFCON qualification match in Uyo on Sunday, September 10.

During the match, goals from Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Ademola Lookman contributed to the Nigerian team's win against São Tomé, replicating their earlier 10-0 victory against the same team.

The Super Eagles had already secured their spot in the 2023 AFCON with a game to spare, following their 3-2 victory over Sierra Leone in June. They concluded their qualification campaign with an impressive 15 points from six games, topping Group A with 22 goals scored and only four goals conceded.

After the final qualification game on Sunday, the Sports minister expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance and urged them to aim for victory in the 2023 AFCON.

He said, “On behalf of all Nigerians, I congratulate the Super Eagles for making the country proud with such an incredible performance. While this wraps up our qualification gracefully, I want to charge the team to go out against all odds in Ivory Coast next year. We want the AFCON trophy to land in Nigeria and all hands will be on deck to make this happen.

“The ministry will work round the clock to ensure the team gets the best preparation possible, in our quest to bring glory to Nigeria. Our players have displayed a commitment to the national colours and I hope that the renewed sense of patriotism remains in place to catalyze the team at the AFCON.”

The last time the Super Eagles won AFCON was in 2013 and that was the third time in the history of the competition that the Nigerian side emerged victorious.