Ahead of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between Nigerian Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has boosted the morale of the players with a promise to give them $25, 000 for every goal scored in the game.
Okowa gave the assurance on Tuesday while interacting with members of the Super Eagles after watching them train at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
According to the governor, who watched the training with some members of the state executive council, said, “we are truly excited as a state to have you train at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, we are glad that you are in Asaba and from what we can see, this is a team for today and the future.”
“The fact that you are leaving Asaba for South Africa, we are sure you will get victory; you are doing very well and we welcome you to Asaba; as a state government, we will contribute to what you are going to do out there in South Africa, for every goal, we are going to give you $25, 000,” the governor said.
He continued, “when you are back, we are also going to host you here in Asaba, we want you to stay strong and success will be yours, because, we are a praying state and we are confident that you are going to South Africa to get a lot of goals; continue to work hard, you are on a national assignment, a call to service and you will succeed.”
President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Pinnick Amaju had thanked the governor for making the Stephen Keshi Stadium available for the Super Eagles to train, describing the team as the “most disciplined, young and promising.”
While Super Eagles Coarch, Mr Genot Rohr described the pitch as one of the best in the country, the Captain of the team, Ahmed Musa assured Governor Okowa that they would go to South Africa and qualify for the AFCON.
Meanwhile, team captain, Ahmed Musa and 21 others are already in camp ahead of the agme.
According to a statement by Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), those in camp are goalkeepers Daniel Akpeyi, Theophilus Afelokhai and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
“At the training, we also had defenders Olaoluwa Aina, Adeleye Aniyikaye, Semi Ajayi, Bryan Idowu, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo and Jamilu Collins.
“There were also midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu and Mikel Agu, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, Henry Onyekuru, Alex Iwobi, Isaac Success and Samuel Chukwueze.
“Only France-based forward Samuel Kalu is expected on Wednesday,’’ he said.
Nigeria need just one point from Saturday’s encounter inside the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg to secure a ticket.
Nigeria’s delegation will depart the country aboard a chartered flight from the Benin City Airport on Thursday evening.
