As the saying goes, nothing succeeds like success. Just ask members of the Nigerian senior national team, the Super Eagles, and they will tell you they are all smiling to the banks. The real job is not yet done. It will come up in Summer 2018, in Russia. But the guys are basking in the euphoria of qualifying to play in Russia. The qualifying stage is not over, though. The boys still have one match remaining but that does not seem to matter anymore. The Nigerian squad will travel to Algeria on November 6 for the duel with the Desert Warriors. Well, even if Nigeria loses by 5-0, the Eagles will still be in Russia, next year. The reason is that the team they beat last Saturday, the Chipolopolo of Zambia, was their closest challenger for the only qualification spot in each group. And now, the boys are getting golden handshakes.
First, the defender, Shehu Abdullahi, got N1 million and 10 bags of rice for being declared the Man of the match. Then, the multi-millionaire gambling tycoon, Kensington Adebutu, announced his donation ofN50m to the team for becoming the first African team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
In a release issued in Abuja last Monday, the Communications Director of the Nigerian Football Federation, Ademola Olajire, confirmed the receipt of the donation, stressing that Mr. Adebutu was full of praises for the Super Eagles for their determination, professionalism and commitment throughout the qualifying campaign. He said Mr. Adebutu urged the Super Eagles not to rest on their oars, but to prepare hard to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and Africa at the 2018World Cup finals in Russia, the sixth time the team would play at that level.
The Super Eagles beat the Chipolopolo of Zambia1-0 last Saturday in their penultimate group qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, becoming the first African side to seal a place at next year’s World Cup in Russia. Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi scored the goal, which put Nigeria on an unassailable 13 points at the top of Group B. Mr. Kensington Adebutu, 81, is the founder of Premier Lotto Limited, a company that deals in Lotto, one of the most popular gambling games in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that sports in Nigeria, particularly football, remains one of the greatest unifier of people across political affiliations, religion, gender, tribe and other divides.
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, APC National Publicity Secretary, who stated this in Abuja, last Monday, joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating and congratulating the Super Eagles for their qualification to next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia. He also saluted the Ministry of Sports, the Nigerian Football Federation, the technical crew, management, and backroom staff for securing Nigeria’s sixth appearance at the World Cup.
The APC spokesman said it was indeed a delight watching the Super Eagles defeat the Chipolopolo of Zambia in front of excited home fans and charged Nigerians to take advantage of the feat to further foster harmony amongst themselves. Mallam Abdullahi, a former sports minister, however, called on the sports authorities not to rest on their oars but to begin early preparation ahead of 2018 to ensure that the Super Eagles perform well at the global tournament.
Last Sunday, Egypt became the second team in Africa to qualify for the 2018 Mundial, after topping Group E with 12 points, leading its closest rival Uganda, with 4 points. Apart from Groups B and E, the winners in the three other groups will not be known till the last play-off next month.
In Group A, the current leader, Tunisia, has 13 points but its closest rival, Congo DR, has 10 points, a difference that technically can be described as one match win. Incidentally, both teams will be at home for their last match next month, where nothing is guaranteed. Group C remains a toss-up between Morocco (9 points) and Cote D/Ivoire (8 points). In Group D, Senegal, which still has a rescheduled game with South Africa, is topping the table. Unless, the unexpected happens, the West African country is likely to join Nigeria in the ECOWAS fraternity in Russia, next year.
