The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for his gestures to the Super Eagles for winning the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa on Sunday.
At a presidential reception for the heroes, at State House, Abuja on Tuesday, President Jonathan showered monetary and national award gifts on players and officials of the team, which won the Cup of Nations for the country for the third time in the competition’s 56-year history.
The President of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, said: “We are full of praise for His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for his gestures of monetary and National Award gifts to the players, the Coaches and the back room staff.
“These gestures further confirm the fact that our dear President is a true lover of sports and a firm lover of excellence.
“On our part at the Nigeria Football Federation, we will continue to do our best to bring glory to our nation through adequate preparation of the National Teams to achieve victory at international level.”
Head Coach Stephen Keshi, who is now the only man alive to have won the Africa Cup of Nations both as player and as coach, was given the National Award of Commander of the Order of the Niger and a cash reward of N10 million.
Kshi’s assistants and Captain Joseph Yobo, who lifted the trophy at the sixth time of trying and is Nigeria’s record caps-holder, were handed cheques of N5 million each plus the national award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger.
The other 22 players got N5 million each and the national award of the Member of the Order of the Niger.
In his speech at the presidential reception on Tuesday night, Maigari said the significance of the triumph could not be overemphasized, being the first time in 19 years that Nigeria would drink from the glittering trophy and also because the teams that won in 1980 and 1994 were much stronger and experienced.
He said: “Mr. President, when we won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, we had a strong and experienced squad that had campaigned and won bronze medals in the two previous tournaments.
“In 1994, we had a similarly strong and experienced team that had qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time the previous year, and was stand-out favourite for the title.
“However, the Class of 2013 is much different.
“The team of young and upcoming players has shocked the world.
“We are in the process of re-building a team and of the 23 players that were in the team in South Africa, 17 of them had never played at the Cup of Nations before.”
Maigari also recalled the efforts of the NFF in the countdown to the victory.
He said: “When our team failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, we decided to re-strategize and re-focus, which included looking inwards and giving players in the domestic League equal opportunities in the National Teams.
“We provided enabling environment, incentives and exposure for the new team, which included actualizing several international friendly matches, and developing their self-esteem and self-belief.
“This has paid off handsomely, Your Excellency, as home boys shone brightly in South Africa, and one of them actually scored the winner against tournament favourite Cote d’Ivoire and the goal that gave us the trophy.”
The NFF president also praised the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi.
He said: “Of course, there were challenges here and there even during the qualifying series and the preparations.
“But we are happy to have overcome, thanks in no small measure to the personal commitment and keen interest of the Honourable Minister/Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.”
Maigari also commended several sports-loving governors who have identified with the team following the success, as well as business moguls – Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga Jnr, Jim Ovia and others – who have extended hands of support and incentives to the team.
Trending
- Hajj 2024: NAHCON describes Gov. Uzodinma as pillar of support
- TUC wants FG to pay wage award for March, April
- Suspension of Dana Air hasty, punitive — Flight Dispatchers
- Ferry deaths: CILT raises alarm as over 300 die in one year
- Smuggled explosives: Customs hands over 6,240 dynamites to DSS
- Anambra: NSCDC arrests eight illegal private guards, recovers weapons
- Health Workers Week: Stakeholders suggest way out of declining workforce
- Review of: ‘Till My Change Comes,’ by Motunrayo Olumakaiye