The Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, has assured the members of the Super Eagles that they will lack nothing in terms of welfare at the forthcoming South Africa 2013 Nations Cup.
Addressing the players and officials in company with the Director of Elite Athletes, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba, and President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji AMinu Maigari, Abdulahi said that President Goodluck Jonathan approved all his requests for a successful outing at the Nations Cup.
He said: “I want to win the Nations Cup as a Minister.
“You the players also want to win the championship.
“But I may not achieve my aim if you the players don’t think you need to win the championship.”
The minister said he believes there is no team as talented as the Nigerian side in the coming championship and again reminded the players to give Nigeria and President Jonathan a New Year present by winning the championship with the talents available.
Maigari thanked Abdulai for finding time in his tight schedule to visit the team in camp.
He said he knows the workload of the minister and was sure that the team will not let Nigerians down at the SA 2013 championship.
Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, spoke in similar vein before skipper of the side, Joseph Yobo, gave a motivating speech.
Yobo said: “Honourable Minister, you have moved us with your speech on the history of Nigerian football and the Super Eagles and I must say we want to write our names in gold in South Africa and I can assure you that I and my mates will work extra hard to achieve our set objectives.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are scheduled to take on Cape Verde in a friendly match on Wednesday.
Eagles start list against Cape Verde
Ejide, Ambrose, Oboabona, Yobo, Echejile, Fegor, Mikel, Onazi, Emenike, Moses, Ahmed Musa.