Nigeria Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has hailed the Super Eagles for their resounding victory against Sao Tome and Principe and assured them of putting the MKO Abiola Stadium pitch in good shape.
Mr Dare characterised the Super Eagles’ overwhelming 10-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe in Monday’s 2023 AFCON qualifier in Agadir, Morocco as “soul-lifting.”
The Eagles annihilated their opponents to finish first in Group A with a maximum six points from two games and a very healthy goal difference of eleven.
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The convincing victory, according to the Sports Minister, is also proof that the team’s rebuilding effort is on track.
“I congratulate the Super Eagles for this historic victory.
“It was not just the result but also the performance.
“It clearly confirms that the rebuilding process of the team is on course.
“This is a morale boosting performance and I commend the team, the coaches, the players and their officials for this.”
Dare would then take use of the chance to reassure the players that their home stadium, Abuja’s Moshood Abiola National Stadium, will be restored to its former glory before the team’s next AFCON qualifier in September.
“We, as a Ministry, take the responsibility for the state of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja when you played against Sierra Leone.
“The excitement of having the stadium back to life led to a few issues like the over use and the infestation by a specie of termites and bugs.
“We have engaged a new grass consultant and got a hold of these issues and in a few weeks, the pitch will be back in the excellent shape it was before the World Cup qualifier against Ghana last March.
“Every other thing like the water sprinklers, digital scoreboards, Media Centre, Conference rooms, change rooms, medical centre are fully functional and we will have the training pitches 100% ready as well.
“We will continue to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to sports and also thank Alhaji Aliko Dangote for his contributions in helping us restore the glory of the stadium from the farmland that it was then to what it is today,” Dare concluded.