Tunde Folawiyo | Super Eagles Ready for AFCON Qualifications, says NFF President
Amid news of the Super Eagles’ massive schedule of qualifying for the AFCON, the Nigeria Football Federation has reached out to assure the organization’s fans that the team will be ready for battle on the field. With a World Cup venture on the horizon, hopes are high as the Super Eagles strive to bring victory to their millions of fans, including Tunde Folawiyo and others throughout the country of Nigeria and well beyond.
Aminu Maigari, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, announced that the team are prepared to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title upon qualification for the tournament when the Morocco 2015 qualifying matches begin in September.
Grouped with South Africa, Sudan and the victor of two preliminary matches among Libya/Rwanda and Namibia/Congo Brazzaville, the Super Eagles have much at stake upon returning from the World Cup in June. Beginning the first week of September, the qualifying process will take place over six matches between September and November. Unusual for a major competition, the decision came as a result of the CAF’s move of the tournament to odd years with the African Nationals Championship taking place during even years.
The CAF Board announced on 29 January during the 2011 CAF Super Cup that Morocco will host the 2015 African Cup of Nations tournament. The tournament will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2015. It will be held from 17 January to 8 February 2015 in Morocco, who previously hosted the tournament for the first time in 1988.
Whilst the CAF received hosting bids for the Africa Cup of Nations from two other nations, DR Congo and South Africa, Morocco is said to be favored to host the competition for its infrastructure and advanced stadiums. In order to form a decision, CAF visited each bidding country to examine stadiums, interest in the sport and infrastructure – all important factors in an adequate tournament host. First inspected was DR Congo, though the inspection was cut short before the country ultimately withdrew bids for the 2015 and 2017 tournaments.
With both the pressures and excitement of these imperative matches looming, devoted fans of the Super Eagles may be comforted by Maigari’s words as emotions run high. Citizens of Nigeria and the team’s fans throughout the world, including Tunde Folawiyo, may anticipate the World Cup as it may serve as a precursor of what’s to come when the team embark’s on the CAF qualifying process in September.
Tags: AFCON Qualifications, Africa Cup of Nations, Aminu Maigari, CAF Board, sporting generation, Super Eagles, tunde folawiyo africa, tunde folawiyo london, tunde folawiyo profile