from Joe Apu, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel on Wednesday redeemed his pledge of $10,000 per goal for the matches against Cameroon to the Super Eagles, while calling on the three –time African champions to go all out for a win against Zambia on Saturday and expect ‘a handsome reward’ from him.
Governor Emmanuel had promised the players the sum of $10,000 for every goal, two days before their clash with the African champions, whom the Eagles walloped 4-0 in Uyo on the first day of September, before earning a 1-1 draw with the Lions in Yaounde three days later.
On Wednesday, the football –loving Governor and great host of the Super Eagles in this qualifying campaign, said there is more where the money came from, if the team earns a sixth FIFA World Cup appearance by winning on Saturday.
“I know you have the quality to overcome in this important match, but I don’t want you to under –rate your opponents.
“I want to commend the NFF, your coaches and the support staff for the great job they have all done. The Zambians are taking this game as a do-or-die affair, so we need to be totally focused and play like soldiers.”
Responding on behalf of the team, Captain Mikel John Obi thanked the Governor and pledged to him and indeed Nigerians everywhere that the Super Eagles will not disappoint on Saturday.
“We know how much this match means and we will go out there and do the job.”