Jonathan Congratulates Eagles, Charges them to Win World Cup

 

President Goodluck  Jonathan

Meanwhile, President Goodluck  Jonathan congratulated the Super Eagles over their victory over Ethiopia. This was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

According to the statement, "President Jonathan joins other proud and happy Nigerians in applauding the Super Eagles dogged and determined performance against the Ethiopians over the two legs of the final qualifying round which ensured away and home victories, and also ensured that Nigeria will be at the World Cup Finals for the fifth time."

The President equally commended the team’s performance in all the preceding qualifying matches and the consistent commitment and dedication of the players to building on their victory at this year’s African Nations Cup by qualifying for the World Cup Finals and bringing further glory to their fatherland.

"As the team and its handlers bask in the glory of being the first African country to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, President Jonathan urges them to rededicate themselves to excelling on the global stage and reaching for heights never previously attained by the country at the World Cup Finals.

"The President believes that with the enormous pool of footballing talent available to the country, the Super Eagles can, with more hardwork, dedication, resilience and further honing of their skills and tactics, fulfill the national dream of being the first African Nation to win the world cup" the statement said.

Jonathan  assured  NFF and the team, of the fullest possible support of the federal government and all Nigerians in their quest to win even greater glory for Nigeria at the world cup finals in Brazil.

Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji,  also congratulated the Eagles on their qualification yesterday. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, Governor Orji who thanked the country's senior national team for putting up a superlative performance said they did all Nigerians proud with victory over the hard fighting Ethiopians.
Orji, who charged the handlers of the country's national team to start early to prepare the players for the World Cup, said Nigeria has a formidable team that can win the coveted trophy for sports loving Nigerians.

"The senior national team's patriotism and commitment to the Nigerian project has once again showed that our country is on the match to greatness. I implore all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity or religion to imbibe this same spirit displayed by the Super Eagles to enable us make progress as a country destined for greatness," he said.

Striking a similar tone was the former governor of Abia Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.  Kalu especially showered praise on the coach of the team, Stephen Keshi.   "Keshi has done well, Kudos to the Eagles. The labourer deserves his wages. I will pray for Keshi to lead us to Brazil," Kalu said.         
         
   Keshi has been unlucky in the past by missing out on the World Cup despite helping teams to qualify. "It must not happen again," Kalu pointed out. "In 2001,Keshi was sacked alongside Shuaibu Amodu and Joe Erico after moving Nigeria to Korea/Japan. Again he was fired in 2005 by Togo after giving them a first Mundial ticket." 

The ex-governor praised Keshi for taking his game to a higher dimension.  "Give it to him. HE is the only Nigerian to lead three different countries to the Nations Cup and the first Nigerian to qualify two nations for the World Cup."