Nigeria arrived home on Tuesday to wild celebrations as tens of thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of their heroes after the team ended a 19-year wait to win the African Nations Cup at the weekend.
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The players landed at Abuja's airport to the sound of beating drums and raucous chanting before driving the few miles to the national stadium through throngs of adoring fans packing the dusty highway.
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'' I am overwhelmed by what I am seeing '', defender Joseph Yobo told reporters when the squad paraded the trophy to thousands who filled the stadium later.
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'' I don't remember our team ever getting this reception. Winning the cup is a great thing ''.
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The victory surprised a population of 160 million who have celebrated victory from the foot of the Sahara desert in the Muslim north to the oil-producing regions on the Atlantic coast in a rare show of national unity.
I say Welcome Back Home to this bunch of fantastic individuals who believe in making their fellow citizens proud through football