The Chairman, Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, said on Friday that the association had always been challenged to succeed by President Goodluck Jonathan’s gestures.
Maigari’s comments followed the cash reward by Jonathan to the home-based Super Eagles for their third place finish at the recently-concluded Championship of African Nations (CHAN) hosted by South Africa.
Maigari told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that he was surprised at the president’s gesture to the team, in spite of not winning the gold.
“This is the biggest presidential reception in all ramifications, not only in sports or football.
“The president encourages sports and football in particular. You can imagine we come third in the championship yet the president said let’s encourage and celebrate these boys.
“So, it is the biggest motivation one can think of,’’ Maigari said.
Maigari said that President Jonathan’s encouragement for football meant that the stage was set for the Football House to begin preparations to excel at the World Cup in Brazil.
He said Jonathan, by the gesture, had indirectly sent them on a World Cup mission.
The NFA boss assured the citizenry that adequate support would be given to the Super Eagles to ensure that they prepared adequately to surpass Africa’s quarterfinal record at the Mundial.
