President Jonathan, Eagles In 30-Minutes Tele-conference

In an unprecedented motivational move for players and officials of the national team; the Super Eagles, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Tuesday evening had a television conference with players and officials of the team ahead of their semi-final clash against the Aiglons of Mali.

The face-to-face conference which lasted for about 30-minutes emanated from the State House in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal capital and saw the President addressing the players and officials, asking after their health and readiness for Wednesday’s game one after the other.

NFF President, Aminu Maigari, was on hand to moderate the event in Durban, ably assisted by Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Barrister Christopher Green.

 Spotting a white, Sokoto, Buba and Agbada dress with a cap to match and beaming with his trade mark smiles, President Jonathan told the team that the Nigerian government on Monday, February 4, 2013, commenced the centenary celebration of the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorates of the country and Lagos Colony, which today is what is called Nigeria.

He had earlier said in an address to the team before the commencement of Afcon 2013 that he expects the Nations Cup trophy to form part of the ongoing celebration of the birth of Nigeria 100 years ago. First to speak to the President was Head Coach Stephen Keshi, and the President displayed his knowledge of the game when he asked after Dan ‘the Bull’ Amokachi, Keshi’s first assistant, who immediately showed up.

After that Sylvanus Okpala,(MON), was next, as Hounadinou Valere and Ike Shorunmi took time to speak with the President before Skipper Joseph Yobo, led the 23 players registered for the tournament to address the President one after the other.

The players followed in the other of Yobo, Fegor Ogude, Ahmed Musa, Ambrose Efe, Godfrey Oboabona, Obiorah Nwankwo, Kennthe Omeruo, Chigozie Agbim, Vincent Enyeama, Nosa Igiebor, Emmanuel Emenike, Austin Ejide, Ikechukwu Uche, Brown Ideye, Ogenyi Onazi, John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Elderson Echejile, Ejike Uzoenyi, Azubuike Egwueke, Juwon Oshaniwa, Gabriel Reuben and Sunday Mba.

 Thereafter President Jonathan addressed all the backroom staff, all of whom were excited over the development. NFF President, Aminu Maigari promised the President that the players and officials of the Super Eagles will not let him down in the task of winning the Nations Cup.

Keshi spoke in a similar vein, as well as team skipper, Joseph Yobo. The President’s response was simple: “Go, play your part first and leave the rest to us”, he declared.

 Addressing the players and officials after the tele-conference, Alhaji Maigari, expressed his total belief in the abilities of the team to win the Nations Cup, and urged them not to let the President and the nation down in the task, as winning the trophy will mark a rebirth of the Nigerian nation.

 Keshi and Yobo agreed and vowed that at the end of Afcon 2013, the Super Eagles will surely be crowned champions of Africa.