Perform big like Nigeria, Jonathan tells Eagles

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday charged the Super Eagles to go all out during the Africa Cup of Nations holding in South Africa from Saturday and make the nation proud. Jonathan told the players and their handlers that their performance at the tournament “must reflect the nation’s status as the giant of Africa.”

He gave the charge shortly after a presentation made by the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, during the Federal Executive Council meeting.

Abdullahi had intimated the President and members of the council of the level of preparation put in place by his ministry to ensure the team’s success during the competition.

The Minister, who spoke with reporters afterwards, said the Super Eagles were in high spirits and were well prepared to triumph over their opponents.

“The FEC prayed for a successful outing for the Eagles. Mr. President also told us that the Eagles’ performance should reflect Nigeria’s status as giant of Africa. He said we should improve on our record of only winning the tournament twice. We appeal to Nigerians to support us,” the minister said.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said efforts were still ongoing to resolve the differences between the Confederation of African Football and broadcasting organisations on the broadcast rights of the tournament’s matches.

Maku expressed the hope that the disagreement would be resolved early enough for Nigerians to be able to watch the matches live.

“Nigerians will watch the tournament. There are various ways of watching it. Consultation is still ongoing, although there is no deal yet. BON has been trying to negotiate the cost. It is our hope that both parties will be reasonable enough to ensure Nigerians watch the matches. The Ministry of Information is monitoring the negotiation, it is a commercial thing between CAF and the various broadcasting organisations but the government is not involved,” the minister said.

And in Portugal, Super Eagles strikers Victor Moses and Ikechukwu Uche again assured Nigerians that they are at the competition with the ambition to win the coveted trophy. Both players made the pledge just before the players left Faro, on Wednesday for South Africa where they are expected to arrive this morning. Both Europe-based players made their views known via a social media network – Twitter.

Moses tweeted, “Leaving today for South Africa for AFCON with the squad hope to come home with the trophy.”

Uche backed the Chelsea forward by posting the same message through his own Twitter handle. A few days earlier Moses had told reporters that he was determined to leave Johannesburg with the trophy.