The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, As a motivation for the under-23 Olympic Eagles Team to make Nigeria proud by defeating Tanzania, has announced a cash gift N10 million to the Nigerian team ahead of Saturday’s game.
GoldenNewsNg reports that Makinde, who promised to be at the Lekan Salami Stadium during the game to cheer the players up, also promised an additional 20,000 dollars (about N18 million) after victory.
He announced the cash gift on Friday night at a dinner hosted by the State Government for the team at the Government House in Ibadan.
The second leg of the AFCON qualifier would be played at Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan today. The country’s U23 National Team and Tanzania had drawn 1-1 during the first leg of the match held in Dar es Salam, the capital of Tanzania.
The governor said, “At any time, we would be willing to host NFF. I enjoy watching football and Shooting Stars is the first team from this country to win the continental African Cup.
“I want to wish you well and let you know that we are fully behind you. I am supporting you with N10 million right now and using it as my own way of motivating you.
“You will win the match and I will keep my promise to you as well. The game promises to be exciting, so let’s show them what we are made of.”
Also, the Chairman, National Youth Teams, Alhaji Aminu Balele, urged the team to win the game for President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Sports and Nigeria.
Balele had also promised the team money upon their victory, while a former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Ogun State, Mr Bukola Olopade, promised a gift of $5,000 for the team.
He then gave the team’s Head Coach, Salisu Yusuf, 10,000 dollars to ensure that the team wins the game.
Earlier, the Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa, had pledged to give the team N500,000 for each goal scored against the Tanzanians. (NAN).