Speaking at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja on Monday, Amadu called on Nigerian football fans to retain faith in the Eagles and continue to give them support in the campaign.
“We quite understand that Nigerians were disappointed in the result of the match against the Red Devils of Congo. But there are five more matches in the qualifying series and we see Saturday’s loss as a wake –up call for the African champions.
“The boys themselves have realized that they have to now double their effort to get to the finals in Morocco, and that is what they have promised for Wednesday’s match against South Africa in Cape Town,” Amadu stated.
The NFF general secretary returned to office based on FIFA letter of Wednesday last week, asking that he be allowed to do his work without any hindrance.
In company with NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and Director of Marketing, Mr. Adama Idris, Amadu took full control of the secretariat and charged members of staff to continue their work without any fear.
Saturday’s 2-3 loss to Congo was the Eagles’ first home defeat in 33 years, since bungling a 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier 0-2 to Algeria’s Fennecs at the National Stadium, Lagos.
The Eagles’ delegation, led by NFF Director of Competitions, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, arrived in Cape Town on Monday morning, after flying to Johannesburg from Lagos overnight on Sunday and connecting a two –hour flight to Cape Town from Johannesburg.
The reigning champions have other matches against Sudan (away and home) in October before traveling to Brazzaville and hosting South Africa in November.
Ex-Eagles international, Babayaro bags award in Delta
Our PAUL OSUYI, Asaba Former Super Eagles defender, Celestine Babayaro has bagged the 2014 edition of leadership excellence award of the Anioma Youth Forum (AYF). He was honoured alongside a philanthropist, Ned Nwoko by the forum at Idumuje-Ugboko, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Babayaro ,who is the first non-Anioma native to receive the award, set the records as the youngest player to make an appearance in Europe’s elite clubs’ competition, UEFA Championship League.
The ex-Chelsea FC of England star was part of victorious Nigerian Under-17 team that won the World Cup in Japan 1993 alongside Wilson Oruma, Kanu Nwankwo among others.
Babayaro made his international senior debut in Afro-Asian Championship in 1995, against Uzbekistan.
Presenting the award, National President of AYF, Mr. Akaji Felix Ifejiokwu, explained that the two distinguished Nigerians were carefully selected based on their contributions to Nigeria.
“Hon. Ned Nwoko is a philanthropist par excellence. By his altruistic nature, he has given succor to the needy, hope to the hopeless and dignity to the fatherless irrespective of colour, gender or tribe,” he stated.
In their separate responses, Babayaro said he will support any cause that will bring development to the country while Nwoko who is a former member of the House of Representatives noted that he was encouraged by the award to continue to assist humanity.
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Amadu sure of Eagles victory |
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