Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo, said that a letter written by President Goodluck Jonathan will ginger the team to play spiritedly at the ongoing 2013 African Cup of Nations, AFCON.
The Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, along with Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Soni Yusuf; President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari; and other sport officials, delivered a letter to the team on Monday evening.
Yobo said the letter will serve as a booster to the team’s morale and will ignite them to do well at the games.
The Eagles skipper, in the company of all the 23 members of the squad and technical crew, said he is moved that despite the busy schedule that the President has, he watches the Eagles play.
“I will like to, on behalf of my mates, assure Mr. President, that we will not let him down. All we need is for him to continue to say his fatherly prayers for us all and we shall surely deliver”, he said.
The letter which was personally signed by President Jonathan read in part: “The Africa Cup of Nations has always been an exciting and important sports event for us in Nigeria and other African countries. However, this edition of 2013 even holds a greater significance for us as a nation. Next year 2014, our dear country will be one hundred years old.
“As we look back and celebrate our achievements as a strong, united nation, we cannot understate the role that sports, especially football played in our national life. Football remains one enduring unifying factor in our country which transcends our diversity.
“A successful outing at the Africa Cup of Nations will offer a great opportunity to further inspire pride, faith and hope in a re-energised new Nigeria in the course of our centennial celebrations,” the president said in the statement.
The Eagles now have one point after drawing with Burkina Faso as they chase the AFCON title which Nigeria last won in 1994.
SOURCE: PREMIUM TIMES
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