Paul Osuyi, Asaba

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has redeemed his pledge of $25,000 per goal scored by the Super Eagles during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa held last Saturday, in Johannesburg.

Although the match ended 1-1 with the Eagles qualifying for the bi-annual continental championship, the governor splashed $50,000 on the team during a banquet in Asaba where the Eagles had earlier played out a barren draw against the Cranes of Uganda in an international friendly match.

Okowa said he saw the Super Eagles scoring more than one goal during the AFCON qualifying encounter against South Africa, hence the $50,000 reward.

His words: “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.”

Congratulating the Eagles for qualifying for the 2019 AFCON, he disclosed that the camping of the Super Eagles in Asaba was a blessing in several ways, as it boosted the socio-economic activities of the people.

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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.

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“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.”

President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick had thanked Governor Okowa for his support to the Super Eagles.

“We should thank Governor Okowa for not just chesting out for NFF but, for giving us everything we need to qualify for AFCON. I am a very proud Deltan, we have come to Delta, we have seen and we can testify that things are okay.

“In March, 2019, the Super Eagles will come back to Delta State to play with another international team. Please, continue to support the Super Eagles,” Pinnick disclosed.

Captain of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa on behalf of members of the Super Eagles, thanked the governor, saying “we will love to come back here again.”