Nigeria's Eagles not under pressure to win AFCON- Minister

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Super Eagles are not ‘required’ to win the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi, was the surprise guest at Saturday morning training session of the Super Eagles at the training pitch of the National Stadium in Abuja along with NFF President, Aminu Maigari, Musa Ahmadu the Scribe of the NFF and Technical Director, Emmanuel Ikpeme.

The Minister whose office is now situated in the National Stadium, breezed in unannounced, midway into the morning training session that usually commences at about 6:45am. He took time to enjoy the training session and thereafter addressed the players.

The Minister, clad in white and green national track suits, told the team that President Goodluck Jonathan is interested in the welfare of the team and has asked him to offer his total support to the team as the countdown to the Nations Cup draws near.

He also took time off to clear the air regarding the desperation that the Super Eagles must win the Nations Cup or the team will be disbanded. “There is no form of pressure coming from the Presidency or my humble self,” he said. “But I have the belief in this team that they will do the nation proud at the Nations Cup. But we want the team to be relaxed and offer the best challenge when the competition starts in January.”

The Minister also promised to visit Faro, Portugal, where the team will camp for the championship to offer his support to the team ahead of the championship. He declared that he has absolute confidence in the ability of the team to represent Nigeria creditably at the tournament.

NFF President, Maigari, was more emphatic as he declared that he has total confidence that all things being equal the Super Eagles will emerge champions at South Africa 2013 event.

Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, thanked the Minister for the visit and said he would be welcomed in Faro, Portugal, promising that the team will not let the nation down during the Nations Cup. Home Eagles Skipper, Chigozie Agbim, said the Minister’s visit was a morale booster, while winger Ejike Uzoenyi said such visit will help the team prepare hard for the Nations Cup championship.