By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Excitement in the air in Akwa Ibom State as Nigerian Super Eagles lock horns with the host nation team, the Atlas Lions of Morocco in a semi-final fixture of the African Nations Cup 2025 on Wednesday.
Governor Umo Eno, who was so delighted with performance of the Eagles against Algeria last weekend, is among the football fans in the state who are warming up to cheer Super Eagles to victory, just as they see the game as final bound for the team.
Meanwhile, the renovated Ibom Plaza in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital city will be full to the brim as soccer fans will turn up in their hundreds to watch the match live on the high-definition giant screen.
The State’s Commissioner of Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who shared the feelings of last Saturday’s win by the Super Eagles Against Algeria also spoke on Wednesday’s expectations.
“Don’t forget that Uyo, Akwa Ibom is the home of the Super Eagles, hence our emotional and patriotic attachment to the team. His Excellency the governor was so impressed by the crowd which turned up at the remodeled Ibom Plaza in Uyo to cheer the team to victory, a match that was accentuated by the Super Eagles convincing showing against and cheer Super Eagles to victory, against the Atlas Lions of Morrocco in the second semi-final of the Nation’s Cup, 2025..
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) will not be different. The comfort that Ibom Plaza presents, the high definition giant screen and the live and electric ambience that the venue provides will see hundreds turn up to cheer the National team to victory.
“In an environment of epileptic power supply, limited capacity to acquire a satellite television service provider and most importantly, the ambience surrounding the watching of live matches in the company of others, has made Ibom Plaza “the talk of the town” as regards impactful social projects commissioned by His Excellency to the advantage of our sports loving indigenes of the State.
“Let me add again that most of those who will come out tomorrow do have television sets and generators in their houses, yet they will prefer to come out and watch the match at the upgraded facility alongside other indigenes of the state. This will give spark and add verve to the experience,” he added.
The Sports Commissioner ended by saying that the turn out for Wednesday’s match will once again crown sports as the ultimate vehicle for the propagation of unity and peace, and a leveler when it comes to divisive issues like religion, ethnicity and tribe.
