There
is no end to motivation for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their quest
to win the 2013 Africa Nations Cup, as the Nigeria Football Federation
dangles $20,000 at each player to beat the Eagles of Mali. The NFF
opened the trips to the banks with the $15,000 bonus for the quarter
final victory over Ivory Coast before the officials reconfirmed the
bonus earmarked for the Wednesday match.
Even doubts were initially raised over
the shortfall in their budget the federation officials have said in
Durban that they are sticking to their initial plans to pay them
graduated bonuses as the competition enters the final stages.
NFF’s assistant director, media and publicity, Demola Olajire, told The PUNCH on Tuesday that the bonus was a graduated gesture to ensure that Nigeria win the trophy.
He said, “The NFF is committed to the
team’s welfare. It has the responsibility of making sure that the team
is motivated to be at their best. The team has been working hard to
improve on its performance and Nigerians must be happy to see the
greatness in them with the defeat of Ivory Coast which was considered
impossible before then.
“If they move to the final by beating
Mali on Wednesday, each of the players will receive $20,000. It is not
the first time the NFF is showing such gesture. We did it when they
moved to other stages of the championship and there is a provision for
winning the title as well.”
The Eagles of Nigeria will meet the
Eagles of Mali in the semi-final of the tournament at the Moses Mabhida
Stadium in Durban on Wednesday, with eyes on the final. Nigeria last won
the Nations Cup in 1994 and after much struggle to convert several
third place finishes to trophy, it got to a head in the last edition as
Guinea edged out Nigeria in the qualifying stage.
Source: PUNCH
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