The Super Eagles were in high spirits on Tuesday after the
Nigeria Football Federation announced full match bonuses for players and
officials of the national team for Monday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against
Cameroon in Yaounde, despite the Eagles being held 1-1 by the Indomitable Lions.
According to a statement from the federation, NFF president
Amaju Pinnick made the bonus declaration to the team aboard the ARIK Air
Bombadier CRJ 1000 aircraft that flew the Nigerian delegation back from Yaounde
on Tuesday morning.
“When the draw was made last year, people said ours was the
Group of Death. But you have stayed very much alive with scintillating
performances and done the nation very proud,” he said.
A member of the Nigerian delegation, who pleaded anonymity,
said the entire team was in happy mood after the NFF boss’ declaration.
“The players were elated and I believe if the federation
continues like this, picking up the ticket to Russia will just be a matter of
time,” our source said.
Pinnick added that preparations for next month’s crucial tie
against Zambia have started.
“Even before the conclusion of this second match against
Cameroon in Yaounde, we had started the arrangements for the match against
Zambia. The Chairman of Organising Committee (NFF 1st vice president, Seyi
Akinwunmi) will travel to Uyo this week to see Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa
Ibom State and they will go through the check-list together.
“Nothing will be left to chance. It is a very big match, and
the way things have turned out against Cameroon, it is now an even bigger match
than the ones we played against Cameroon. There must be no room for error.”
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