June 10, 2024
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Monday in an on-going clash against Benin Republic in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, recited the ‘Arise O Compatriot’ anthem as opposed to the newly signed ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’.
The players sang the now ‘old anthem’ at the beginning of the match.
President Bola Tinubu on May 29, signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law.
The bill reinstated the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
This was disclosed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the joint plenary that Tinubu attended.
The final assent to the passage of the bill will bring about a shift from the now-recognised, “Arise O Compatriots.”
The bill was rapidly cleared by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Head Coach, Finidi George, ahead of the match named Terem Moffi and Ademola Lookman to spearhead the attack, while Victor Boniface has been placed on the bench.
The Super Eagles take to the field with the following lineup:
Goalkeeper: Nwabali
Defenders: Bassey, Tanimu, Ajayi, Osayi-Samuel
Midfielders: Ndidi, Onyeka, Iwobi
Attackers: Chukwueze, Lookman, Moffi
The substitutes include; Iheanacho, Boniface, Onuachu, Abdullahi, Dele-Bashiru, Onyeka Awaziem, Olawoyin, Igboke, Ismaila, Okoye (GK) and Ojo (GK).
The match is currently ongoing at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
Last Friday, Pressure mounted on the Super Eagles after the team played a 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifier.
