Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday redeemed his pledge of $25,000 dollars per goal scored by the Super Eagles in their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against the Bafana Bafana football club of South Africa.

In the football encounter which took place at the weekend in Johannesburg, South Africa, the match ended 1-1 with the Super Eagles qualifying for the championship billed to hold in Cameroon in 2019.

At a state banquet yesterday held in honour of the Super Eagles at Government House, Asaba, Governor Okowa disclosed that though the match ended 1-1, he saw the Super Eagles scoring more than one goal.

“As a state government, we did made a promise that we will give 25,000 dollars per goal in the AFCON qualifying match in South Africa; in my mind, I know we scored two goals, not one goal, because the second goal was wrongly disallowed, so, we will fulfil our promise with what we saw, not with what was announced by the referee,” the governor said.

Governor Okowa disclosed that the camping of the Super Eagles in Asaba was a blessing in several ways. The Super Eagles trained at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, from where they departed through the Asaba International Airport to South Africa. Shortly before their departure, Governor Okowa promised to reward them with the sum of $25,000 for every goal scored which motivated the Super Eagles to qualify for the continental championship.

According to him, “We are very happy that you left for South Africa from Asaba because you enabled us to witness the first international flight from the Asaba International Airport; I am truly excited this evening that we are hosting our dear Super Eagles as a state government and the Ugandan Team that earlier played with the Super Eagles at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, we truly enjoyed ourselves because the two teams played good football.”

“It was good to host the Super Eagles, they have been with us for some days now and I believe that the people, Deltans and Nigerians in general are excited; though, they drew the match with the Cranes of Uganda, both team played good game and it was gladdening to know that both team have also, qualified for the African Cup of Nations,” he said, disclosing that the coming of the Super Eagles to Asaba greatly gave a boost to socio-economic life of Deltans.

He stated that his administration will continue to invest in the development of sports and sporting activities, noting that Principal’s Cup and the Headmaster’s Cup football championship were designed to encourage the development of football in secondary and primary schools in the state.

Governor Okowa congratulated the Super Eagles for qualifying for AFCON, assuring that his administration would continue to support the Pinnick Amaju led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to succeed.

President of NFF, Mr Amaju had in his speech, thanked Governor Okowa for his support to the Super Eagles, stating that the team had qualified for the 2019 edition of AFCON.

The high point of the event, which saw renowned Nigerian musicians and comedians performing, was the presentation of a Super Eagles jersey signed by all the members of the team to Governor Okowa.

The governor in turn, presented the money he promised the team for every goal scored to the Captain of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa.

The Cranes of Uganda that earlier held the Super Eagles to a goalless draw at the Stephen Keshi Stadium attended the dinner.

•Photo by Jibunor Samuel shows, from right; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (middle); Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro and President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, during the International Friendly Match between the Nigeria Super Eagles and Uganda, at Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba.

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