The Nigeria Football Federation has heaped encomiums on President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR for his abiding interest in all the National Football Teams.
Speaking in London yesterday morning, NFF president Aminu Maigari lauded the special love that Nigeria’s leader and his administration have in the teams and assured that the Super Eagles will do the nation and the continent proud at the 20th FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.
“Our President has once more, shown his love for our football by sending the Honourable Minister/Chairman, NSC with a special message to the Super Eagles in London. His spirit is always with the National Teams, even when he is not physically there. I am sure the players will repay this abiding love when they get to the World Cup in Brazil.”
Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo told the players and technical crew on Tuesday night at the Craven Cottage that President Goodluck Jonathan will be in Brazil to follow their campaign once they earn a place in the last eight.
Nigeria’s best outing at the FIFA World Cup finals remains Round of 16 berths in USA 1994 and France 1998.
President Jonathan was at the Super Eagles’ Protea Hotel Wanderers in Johannesburg on 11th June, 2010 – a day before their 2010 FIFA World Cup opening game against Argentina in Johannesburg.
When he attended the Super Eagles’ training session in Abuja on 5th September, 2012, ahead of a 2013 Cup of Nations qualifier away to Liberia, President Jonathan became the first Nigeria leader to attend the training session of the Senior National Team since General Yakubu Gowon appeared at the team’s training prior to their All-Africa Games final match against Guinea in January 1973.
And on 12th October, 2013, President Jonathan shunned lunch with other AU leaders to attend the Eagles’ training at the Addis Ababa Stadium ahead of a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia the following day.
“We also remember how the President has rewarded all the National Teams handsomely anytime they did the nation proud. We are assuring President Jonathan, his administration and the generality of Nigerians that the Super Eagles will again do Nigeria and Africa proud in Brazil,” stated Maigari.
