Saka, Ferdinand celebrates with Nigeria after dramatic semi-final win 

England’s Bukayo Saka and Rio Ferdinand have expressed their support and affection for Nigeria, following their thrilling victory over South Africa to reach the finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Nigeria vs South Africa ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time at the Stade de la Paix yesterday, before Stanley Nwabali’s heroics saw the three-time African champions get the better of Bafana Bafana in the penalty shootout and set up a mouthwatering final clash with hosts Ivory Coast on Sunday.

Saka and Ferdinand’s support for Nigeria

Born to Yoruba parents who relocated to England shortly before his birth, Saka took to his Instagram story after Kelechi Iheanacho converted the last penalty kick to show he had been following the game.

Rio Ferdinand on the other hand utilized his Twitter account, where he posted a picture of himself holding Nigeria’s official jersey with William Troost-Ekong’s 5 and Ferdinand inscribed on it.

🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬 #AFCON pic.twitter.com/7GrfdTufal

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 7, 2024

About an hour later, the Manchester United legend took this further by replying to a troll who accused him of only supporting the Super Eagles when they win by posting pictures of him involved with the team in 2008, 2019 and 2020.

🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬
2008, 2019, 2020 https://t.co/poSQB8PYyZ pic.twitter.com/7q0uktbHXC

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 7, 2024

Both Saka and Ferdinand have visited Nigeria on a couple of occasions, with their recent visit coming in May 2023 for Saka, while Ferdinand last visited in 2020.