13th February, 2013
President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday night asked Coach Stephen Keshi to ensure that Nigeria’s Super Eagles qualify for the next World Cup scheduled for Brazil in 2014.
The President, who was speaking during a reception for the victorious Eagles in Abuja told Keshi that Nigeria must qualify for the next FIFA World Cup, adding that qualification for the Mundial is the next challenge for him and his Eagles.
In obvious reference to the controversial relationship between Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, President Jonathan assured the coach of his full support, adding that “we are here to assist you to achieve even greater success.”
He therefore tasked Keshi to get ready for the qualification matches of the next World Cup, adding that Nigeria must be part of the global football fiesta.
Jonathan also said that the team’s victory in the continental football competition is “awesome” for which the team deserves praise. “In this pre-centenary year, our victory in South Africa is the most precious gift that the Super Eagles have presented to the nation,” the President said.
Jonathan later capped off the colourful reception for Eagles and their coaches who arrived back in Nigeria on Tuesday, after winning the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations trophy in nearly two decades with rain of cash and encomiums.
The President also announced different cash prizes for the victorious team.
Stephen Keshi, coach of the team got N10 million while each of his assistants got N5 million.
Each player also got N5 million for bringing the continental cup home. In addition, the President also announced the conferment of national honours on the soccer players and their coaches. Coach Stephen Keshi was conferred with CON, one of Nigeria’s highest national honours, while his assistants were conferred with Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON.
The 23 players were conferred with national honour of Member, Order of Niger, MON. The Federal Government allocated a plot of land to each of the players and their coaches in the Federal Capital Territory.
The President further announced cash gifts from some business giants who he said had identified with government in the effort to reward the Super Eagles for their victory in the African Nations Cup.
—Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja