BY JACOB AJOM, Calabar
The minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has said that his commission would give the Nigeria Football Federation and in particular, the Super Eagles all they would require to excel in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
The minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has said that his commission would give the Nigeria Football Federation and in particular, the Super Eagles all they would require to excel in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Mallam Abdullahi spoke with the sporting press in Calabar, just before departing for Abuja Sunday.
PADMOZI’S HOT SHOTS —— Super Eagles goalscorers(L -R), Ahmed Musa, Efe Ambrose, Victor Moses (two goals), Mikel Obi and Ike Uche pose after collecting $1,000 each from Padmozi Sports Marketing for every goal scored against Liberia in their 6-1 triumph on Saturday. Photo: Sylva Eleanya
Speaking on the team’s qualification for the tournament, the minister said he was impressed by the team’s performance on Saturday.
“Congratulations to Nigeria because we are all happy particularly for the fact that we were not in the last edition of the Nations Cup. All hands are on deck to ensure we get a good team at the end of the day, ”I have been in a meeting with the NFF since morning all to ensure we put our plans for the team’s preparation.
On Monday we are meeting again in Abuja to discuss all the logistics and whatever that is required for the team to do well when they get to South Africa.”
The National Sports Commission boss said the team’s preparations would not be hampered by bureaucratic hiccups as all arrangements would be made to ensure there was an uninterrupted supply of all that will be required for the team’s preparation.
The minister said although the qualification came handsomely, :we would have wished we qualified earlier than when it came. “But now that we have qualified and the tournament proper is not a matter of playing Liberia or any such weaker teams, we want to prepare well and win the tournament.
“The boys played very well and showed the kind of commitment we have not seen in a very long time. I think what they need to improve upon is the job of the technical crew.”
