Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja held a tele-conference via skype with the Super Eagles and encouraged them to win Wednesday’s AFCON 2013 semi-final match against Mali.
He also encouraged them to win the tournament and bring the trophy home.
In the conversation, which lasted for about 13 minutes, the President tasked the Super Eagles to put up superlative performance in the semi-final match with Mali.
He specifically said Nigerians were expecting more from them and urged them to work hard to bring the AFCON 2013 cup home to mark the centenary celebration.
The President spoke with the Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi, the Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi as well as all members of the team in turn.
The President said that Nigerians were happy with the performance of the team so far and admonished them not let the people down.
Jonathan promised the Eagles that he would make the team members happy if they bring the trophy home.
Keshi assured the President that the players were in good spirit and that they would put up their best in the matches.
Other handlers of the team, the Doctor, the physiotherapy and the psychologist assured that the team was fit, in good spirit and would put up good performance.
The captain of the team Yobo, in a response, appreciated the gesture of the President and assured that they would win the trophy.
Jonathan: ”Is Stephen Keshi there?”
Keshi: ”Yes Sir.”
Jonathan: ”Are you okay, I want to see your face. What of Amokachi?”
Keshi: ”Amokachi is right here Sir.”
Jonathan: ”How are you feeling in South Africa and how is the spirit in the camp?”
Keshi: ”It is good Sir.”
Jonathan: ”On behalf of our great country, I want to encourage you and to tell you that Nigerians are very happy with your performance and we are hoping on to you that just last night we flag off our centenary celebration, that is the 100 years of amalgamation of Nigeria as a modern nation and we believe that you bring the cup to your fatherland this year.
”We are very hopeful we are all proud of you, we are all happy with what you have done and want you to do more. I hope the camp is okay?
”The camp is well sir, the boys are listening to you.”
The President requested the boys to show their faces one after the other and he chatted with each and every one of them accordingly.
Yobo: ”I am the Captain, Joseph Yobo, I am here with the Coach.
”Your Excellency, we appreciate you and we promised that by the grace of God, we will bring the cup back to you.”
Jonathan: ”We are expecting it, do your best, Nigerian are very hopeful and all Nigerians are happy with what you are doing and we are expecting that you bring the cup to Nigeria this year. The country promised you the best, get the cup first. We will make you very happy young men.”
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Patrick Ekejii, in an interview with State House correspondents after the conferencing, said that the president’s gesture had motivated the boys.
He said it was the highest level of motivation for the President to speak with them as they prepared for the match on Wednesday
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