By Victor Okoye
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to the country’s senior national football teams, Super Eagles and Super Falcons at their respective training sessions at the National Stadium, Abuja.
Super Eagles are getting set for Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Algeria.
Also, the Super Falcons are preparing for the 10th Women Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Cameroon from Nov. 19 to Dec. 3.
The Vice President arrived the practice pitch of the National Stadium, Abuja at about 5.30 p.m. as the teams were rounding off evening sessions.
To the Super Eagles, Osinbajo said: “I commend you for your patriotism and commitment to the cause of fatherland.
“By going to Zambia to defeat the Zambians on their own ground for the first time, you have shown your determination to conquer your group and qualify for the World Cup.
“I want to assure you that the Government and people of Nigeria are behind you in your quest to qualify for the World Cup.
“I believe that you will certainly pick the ticket from your group to make it to the World Cup finals.”
To the Super Falcons, Osinbajo said: “I am happy that you girls are the reigning African champions, and I believe you will go to Cameroon and retain your trophy.
“The whole nation is behind you. You must start by beating Mali and then going all the way so as to bring the Cup back to Nigeria,” he said.
The Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung presented the Super Eagles to the Vice President as a bunch of disciplined and dedicated patriots, while NFF President Amaju Pinnick assured Osinbajo that the Eagles would fight hard to qualify for the World Cup.
Skipper Mikel Obi praised the Vice President for finding time to spur the team, saying Nigeria had one of the youngest national teams in Africa presently.
Captain Evelyn Nwabuoku thanked the Vice President and promised that the Falcons were committed to retaining their continental title.
The Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr on his part declared that as a German, he had brought the German mentality of resilience and perseverance to the team’s camp.
