Akpuenika made the call while speaking with NAN in Abakaliki on Saturday.
He urged the team to use the Cote d’Ivoire showpiece to reciprocate Nigerians’ good wishes.
The former commissioner said that in spite of the team’s poor showings recently, Nigerians have shown them tremendous love and support.
“President Bola Tinubu has taken the lead by approving funds for the payment of team’s entitlements as this should adequately motivate the team.
“The team should find a way to improve on its performances and prove critics who have written them off,” he said.
He said that though the team seems to be experiencing a striker crisis due to injuries, this should not dampen their morale but rather spur them to excel.
“Most Nigerian teams which excelled at competitions were written off initially, but they sprang surprises to win.
“The present team has the potential and is capable of excelling at the competition,” he said.
Akpuenika urged Nigerians to pray for the team to win a fourth AFCON title for the country.
“God can change the challenges currently facing the team and make it put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
“We all should support the team and not pile undue pressure on the players,” he said.
(NAN)
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