Lagos football fans could not hide their enthusiasm and love for their darling team, the Super Eagles when the AFCON semifinal match against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa turned to victory in Bouake, Ivory Coast Wednesday night.
Both high and low, who gathered at different viewing centres put in place by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu across various locations in the metropolis to watch the grudge match, were elated with joy after the penalty shootouts ended.
The joy revibrated across the centres, from Onikan mega viewing centre, to Epe, Agege, Oke-Odo, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Yaba and other areas, the night was electrifying.
Independent News Express reports that the mega viewing centre at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan is one among the 25 centres scattered across the state to engender camaraderie, increase the vibes and to create an enabling environment for the Lagos residents to cheer the nation’s heroes to glory in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’lvoire.
One of the major highlights at the atmosphere created by the Lagos State Government is the introduction of Predict and win segment which give room for all lovers of football to predict the outcome of any game. Today, nothing less than 20 people predicted correctly at the Onikan mega viewing centre, as they smiled home with an amount worth of Fifty Thousand Naira (50,000) each for those who got their predictions right.
Lagos residents have been feeling the vibes of watching live matches at every designated viewing centre designed by the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to continue mingle, bond and connect.
On-field captain William Troost Ekong put Nigeria forward from the spot kick before marauding Victor Osimhen added to the tally. Unfortunately, the goal was chalked off due to a foul committed in the Nigeria box eighteen. Super Eagles were levelled from the penalty awarded to Bafana Bafana in the 90 minutes which later ended in stalemate after the regulation and extra time before Nigeria triumph 4-2 via penalty shootout to dazzle to the AFCON final.
The Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho and the Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu show off their dancing steps as they commended the Eagles for their sterling performance, perseverance and commitment in the face of the hostility from archrivals.
Present at the Mega Viewing Centre are: Director Public Affairs, LSSC, Titilayo Oshodi-Eko, and Director Sports Facilities, LSSC, Deji Aladegbemi.
Also present were: Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Damilare Orimoloye and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Sports Development, Adebanji Atewogboye.
Nigeria await the winners in the second semifinal between the hosts Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
