Having defeated seven-time champions, Bafana Bafana of South Africa, which led them to the semifinals of AFCON 2019, the Super Eagles of Nigeria received pledges of more monetary reward from two of African’s richest businessmen and philanthropists.
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, during a visit to the team’s Le Meridien Cairo Airport hotel on Thursday morning, where he urged the players not to relent and increase their efforts in scaling the semi-final hurdle on Sunday, placed a call through to the two well -known philanthropists and tasked them to commit themselves in supporting the team.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote group and Africa’s richest man promised the Eagles $50,000 for every goal scored in their remaining two matches in the championship while, Mr Femi Otedola, Oil mogul promised $25,000.
Further words of encouragement came from His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) following Wednesday night’s victory, with the President urging “the team and their handlers to be focused, disciplined and scale the remaining two hurdles to glory.”
It would be recalled that following their Round of 16 defeat of Cup holders Cameroon in Alexandria on Saturday, businessman Captain Hosea Wells Okunbo pledged the sum of $20,000 for every player, while the Executive Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu came good with $5,000 for every player.
