News - Fashola Splashes N59m On Super Eagles

[TGD]

 LAGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola Friday became the latest benefactor of the Super Eagles, as he showered a whopping sum of N59 million on them for their exploits at the just-concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.

A breakdown of the figures shows that coach of the team, Stephen Keshi, got the sum of N2.5 million, while his immediate assistant, Daniel Amokachi, got N2 million and captain of the team, Joseph Yobo, N1.5 million.

Four other assistant coaches got the sum of N1.5 million each.

The 22 members of the team got the sum of N1million each and N500, 000 per goal for each of the 11 goals they scored during the tournament, while N15 million was donated to the backroom staff of the Super Eagles.

The Rauf Oladipo-led Supporters' Club also got N4.5 million, bringing the sum total to N59 million.

Speaking at the reception held for the team at State House, Alausa, Lagos, Fashola said the donation was the state government's 'token' appreciation of the team's exploits and for doing the country proud in South Africa, which has brought the country back into reckoning in world football.

But he immediately cautioned them against complacency, advising the team and sports administrators to do sustain the momentum and strive towards greater success.

Fashola said: "Now that we have won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy, the question to ask is what next? We have Kenya to contend with in a few days.

"Let us remind ourselves that Zambia, the immediate defending champions of the tournament, did not make it to the second round.

The governor, a football enthusiast, harped on upgrading the local league and grassroots football, both of which he stated has the potential of impacting on Nigeria's performance in international competitions.

Fashola attributed their success to the Nigerian spirit, which he said must be rekindled, just as he urged sport officials to desist from undue interference with national teams, especially in the affairs of coaching and team selection, which he said has undermined the successes of national teams in competitions.

"Everybody in Nigeria today is a football expert. Let us respect those we have employed to do this job. If we think that they can't do it, let us set time line and change them and I think that the practice where people badge into the dressing room and have time with officials uninvited should stop. That is the team coaches to domain.

"The NFF should do more in this respect. The era of Keshi should do this, Keshi should do that by those who have never kicked foot ball should stop." he counseled.



The Guardian