BRAZIL 2014: Bring back the trophy, FG tasks Eagles

The Federal Government of Nigeria seems to have put the Super Eagles, coaching staff and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), under pressure on the forthcoming Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, by warning them that the trophy would be the only acceptable target from them.

The Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, who gave the marching order when the Nigerian Football and Other Sports Supporters Club decorated him as patron of the club in Abuja yesterday, maintained that playing in the semi final would be the least acceptable target from the team...

Addressing the supporters club, the Rivers State born administrator said: “I want to wholeheartedly thank all of you, not just for making me a patron worldwide but what you are doing for Nigerian sports.

“I was more particularly happy that you crowned Mr. President the Grand Patron because as a president highly interested in the success of our sportsmen and women, it is an honour well deserved. I saw commitment, love and dedication to sports.

“Let me inform you that your letter to Mr. President has received urgent attention and I want to assure you that he has approved the money and it is now with the Ministry of Finance. I can assure you that you will get the release this week or undoubtedly by next week perhaps because of the public holiday in Abuja. We are committed to doing Nigerians proud in Brazil,” he said.

Speaking further, he said: “Last time the media misquoted us on what our target for the World Cup is. I have said it repeatedly that our target is not the quarterfinals or semi final as the media reported, but a target to win the World Cup.

“The semi finals is just the minimum target we can accept as consolation. We want to celebrate with the trophy, but we can only receive the team if they play in the semi finals. It is the acceptable minimum target we can welcome the team with. The meaning is that we are aiming for the best in this tournament,” he warned.