Nigeria players joined their fans, families and Muslim faithful around the world to celebrate their Eid-el-Kabir on Sunday.
The Nigeria players, including Africa stars shared images and text on social media to felicitate with Muslim faithful.
Among them are Super Eagles defender Shehu Abdullahi; assistant captain Ahmed Musa; defender Jamilu Collins; midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and former striker Odion Ighalo.
Abdullahi prayed that the festival would bring unity and joy to Nigeria.
“I congratulate you (Muslims) all for witnessing this beautiful day, let’s show love to ourselves and unite as a country. May this Eid (festival) bring more blessings, joy and everlasting happiness to our dear country, Nigeria,” he said.
Musa congratulated the Muslims, praying for God’s blessing to reign on them
On his part, Ighalo eulogised his mother for always standing by him, praying that God will grant her paradise.
Ighalo’s tweet, however, took many of his fans who thought he was from a Christian background by surprise.
“To my mother, may every tear that has ever fallen from your tired eyes on my behalf become a river for you in paradise. Eid Mubarak mama and to all my Muslim families,” he tweeted sharing two images of his mother putting on a headscarf.
Collins jamilu said, “Happy Eid to all my muslim brothers and sisters, friends and families. Have a blessed day.”
“I wish all my Muslim brothers a happy Eid Mubarak,” Ogenyi Onazi added.
African stars like Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech, Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, and Aston Villa’s Mahmoud Trezeguet also joined Muslims all over the world in the celebration.
“Every year and everyone is fine. Eid is happy for all of us,” Egypt’s forward, Mo Salah, tweeted in Arabic.
“I wish all my Muslim brothers and sisters a merry Eid-al-Adha. Love,” Koulibaly tweeted in French.
Eid al-Adha, which in Arabic literally means ‘festival of the sacrifice’, marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
