A businessman, Aka Udofia, has offered the Super Eagles $20,000 for each goal they score in Monday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup second-leg qualifying cracker against Cameroon.
In a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, the young businessman from Akwa Ibom made the promise as he briefly greeted players and officials inside the chartered ARIK Bombadier CRJ 1000 aircraft just before take-off at the Ibom International Airport, Uyo on Sunday afternoon.
He said “I am a good friend of the NFF President, Mr Amaju Pinnick, and I am happy that I am here in time to see you guys before take-off for Yaounde.
“I watched the game against the Cameroonians here in Uyo on Friday and I am sure you have the ability to conquer them again in their own territory.”
Udofia, Chief Executive Officer of Desicorn Company, announced to the applause of players and officials that “I promise to reward you with $20,000 for every goal scored in Yaounde.”
Three-time champions, Nigeria, will play Cameroon on Monday in Yaounde in a Day-Four encounter of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifying race. With five points clear of second-placed Zambia and seven ahead of third-placed Cameroon, Nigeria are in a good position.
Also, Amaju Pinnick, the NFF President, has called for more passion and commitment from the Super Eagles as they prepare to take on Cameroon again on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Nigerian delegation to Monday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match landed in Yaounde on Sunday afternoon.
The NFF in a statement on Sunday said the Nigerian delegation touched down at the Aeroport Nsimalen-Yaounde at about 1.27 p.m.
The NFF president and CAF Executive Committee member charged the players to approach Friday’s leg in Uyo with passion and to play with their heart, soul and spirit.
Following the charge, the players obliged with a near –incredible 4-0 bashing of reigning African champions Cameroon on the turf of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Pinnick again urged the players not to take their feet off the pedal as the race to Russia continues apace on Monday at the Stade Omnisports Ahmadou Ahidjo.
He said “the Cameroonians will come at us with everything on Monday, knowing they have to get a result and with anger born out of their humiliation in Uyo.
“That is why we cannot afford to relax yet. On Monday, you must play with even greater passion and show even more spirit than you did in Uyo to come out with result here.
“The ticket to Russia from Africa Group B appears to be taking on the green-white-green colour already, but we must not relent. We must fight hard for every ball for the 90 minutes.”
On board the chartered ARIK Bombadier Jet CRJ 1000 that flew from Uyo and arrived in Yaounde after 55 minutes were 23 players and technical and backroom staff.
Also were Pinnick, NFF vice presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, NFF Executive Committee members Chris Green, Mohammed Alkali, Chidi Ofo Okenwa and Aisha Falode.
Some members of the NFF Management led by Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, Akwa Ibom FA Chairman Emmanuel Iba, some football stakeholders and representatives of the media were also on board.
They were received on arrival by the Ambassador of Nigeria to Cameroon, Lawal Gashagar and NFF Executive Committee member, Sharif Inuwa (who was part of a three –man advance party).