Sports Minister, Hon Bolaji Abdulahi yesterday hailed the resilience of
the Super Eagles at the on-going CHAN African Nations tournament in
South Africa, declaring that Nigerians from President Goodluck Jonathan
to the common man on the streets appreciate the team.
Speaking when he addressed the team at their President Hotel and
Conference Centre in Bloemfontein, Abdulahi, said despite the Eagles
losing via penalty shootout to Ghana in the semi-final of the CHAN
tournament he was totally satisfied with the performance of the players
and will continue to support the team to achieve more.
The Minister who was in company of NFF President Alhaji Aminu Maigari,
Technical Committee Chairman, Barr Chris Green, and the Senate Committee
Chairman on Sports, Adamu Gumba praised the leadership of the NFF and
the technical crew for raising a team that has made Nigerians proud at
the CHAN tourney.
He thereafter redeemed his pledge of $100,000 to the team for defeating
Morocco in the quarter final and another $100,000 for its sterling
performance against Ghana despite losing on penalties.
He also urged the team to go ahead and win the third place match against
Zimbabwe on Saturday, assuring that they will get the reward of the
government when they do that. NFF President Aminu Maigari, who himself
personally doled out $10,000 to the team before the Ghana game on
Wednesday, assured the Minister that the team will get better as it
prepares for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
He said earnest preparations are already in place for an outstanding
outing by the team at the championship. Team Coach, Stephen Keshi and
Captain Chigozie Agbim, assured that the team will not disappoint in the
third place game to be played on Saturday in Cape Town. Keshi thanked
the youthful Minister for his support for the team and assured that the
team will get better with every opportunity on offer.
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