By George Aluo
Naira rain! That is what it has been for the Super Eagles players after their five star performances against Cameroon in Uyo and Yaounde.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) apparently satisfied with the showings of the team opted yesterday to reciprocate with the payment of full match bonus to the players in spite of the fact that the Yaounde tie ended in a draw.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick, who confirmed the payment of the full match bonus to the players said it was a way of saying thank you to the lads.
Excited players and officials applauded as Pinnick insisted it was just reward for a masterclass output by the Nigerian squad over the two legs of the most anticipated fixture of Group B.
“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.” Pinnick said. The Member of CAF Executive Committee also disclosed on Tuesday morning that preparations for next month’s big encounter against the Chipolopolo of Zambia, at which the Super Eagles are highly expected to pick the World Cup ticket, has started in earnest.
“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 Organizing Committee (NFF 1st VP, Barrister 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.” It would be noted that the Federal Government slashed the players with N20 million, while Akwa Ibom state government doled out $40, 000. An Uyo based businessman also donated $20, 000 to the players.