President Muhammad Buhari has congratulated the Team Nigeria, who came second on the overall medals table at the just concluded African Games in Congo Brazzaville.

This is contained in a statement issued by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.

Buhari, who expressed appreciation at the performance of the team, urged the Nigerian athletes to always make Nigeria proud by constantly improving on their performance.

He said he was impressed with the performance of Team Nigeria at the continental event, and that he was not in doubt about their zeal and determination to make Nigeria great.

He, therefore, expressed deep joy that several members of the teams did Nigeria proud and singled out for special commendation, the basketball team, D'Tigers Basketball team.

The D’Tigers had earlier earned the nation a Gold medal (at the Tunis African Basketball competition) for the first time in 50 years, and by which feat the country got an automatic ticket to the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.

Buhari noted that the performance of Team Nigeria at the Congo games had yet again brought the massive potential of Nigerian sportsmen and women to excel in their chosen areas against all odds.

He implored the country's athletes to do all they could to ensure that, “Nigeria regains its number one position in Africa and the world at large.”

The president, who noted that a presidential delegation had attended the closing ceremony and conveyed his congratulations to the Team Nigeria and its officials, promised the team a fitting ceremony.

He also assured Nigeria's sportsmen and women that his administration would accord priority to sports, in addition to boosting the morale of the players and enhancing training for future challenges.

He reminded the sportsmen and women not to rest on their oars “because the challenges grow bigger and more complex each day.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Team Nigeria.