In a show of national solidarity and support for the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the government of Cote d’Ivoire has declared Thursday, January 18, a public holiday for students.
Additionally, certain government parastatals will operate only half a day, closing work by 1 p.m. local time.
This gesture is aimed at rallying more support for the Cote d’Ivoire national football team ahead of their second Group A game against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The highly anticipated match is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Nigerian time at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Cote d’Ivoire commenced their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau.
In contrast, Nigeria faced a tough challenge and was held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their opening game.
The declaration of a public holiday for students and the early closure of certain government agencies underscore the significance of the football encounter and the immense enthusiasm of the Ivorian public.
The move aims to create an atmosphere of maximum support for the national team.
A citizen of Cote d’Ivoire said; “All the students in the primary and secondary didn’t go to school today, but the university students will go to class in the morning. Some government agencies will also work half day, and they are expected to close at work by 1 p.m. today. Every citizen is expected to give maximum support to our team against the Super Eagles.”
Meanwhile, Nigerian football legend Austine Jay Okocha shared what the Super Eagles needed to do to secure victory against Cote d’Ivoire.
He emphasised the importance of experience, desire, and the right mindset as key elements for success.
Okocha acknowledged the difficulty of facing the host country but expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential to secure a win.
The Cote d’Ivoire vs. Nigeria match is set to take place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan.
