The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has said he appreciated every Nigerian who contributed in any way to the Super Eagles’ victory over Congo in Pointe Noire on Saturday.
However, Pinnich said the pledge of the sports-loving Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, of a “handsome reward” did much to motivate the players before kick-off.
The Akwa Ibom State’s number one man had called the NFF president to say he would reward the players and officials for victory in the very crucial game in which Nigeria needed a two-goal margin of victory to be in good stead for qualification going into the final round of matches.
The message was promptly relayed to the team in full and they left their Atlantic Hotel Palace highly inspired despite the scorching sun.
Ikechukwu Uche stroked home a penalty kick after strike partner Emmanuel Emenike was tripped in the box, and China-based Aaron Samuel delivered an intelligent chip from Mikel Obi’s solo run to give the Eagles just what they needed.
Governor Akpabio is chief host of Wednesday’s final qualifying match in which the Super Eagles go up against the Bafana at the brand-new Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.
The match will start at 5pm Nigerian time.
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