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Celebrating
Super Eagles’ players throw Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr up in the air after
their 1-0 defeat of Zambia to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup. Photo:
NFF.
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Members of the senior
national team, Super Eagles, were all smiles on Saturday following the
avalanche of rewards that came with their qualification for the Russia 2018
World Cup at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
The
Guardian Nigeria report continues:
Nigeria
defeated Zambia 1-0 to book its place in the 32-nation FIFA World Cup billed
for Russia next June.
Coming
moments after defender, Shehu Abdullahi got ₦1 million and 10 bags of rice for
his man of the match performance, multi–millionaire business mogul, Chief
Kensington Adebutu rewarded the entire team with the sum of ₦50 million for
becoming the first African country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
While
presenting his cheque to the team, Adebutu praised the Super Eagles for their
determination, professionalism and commitment throughout the qualifying
campaign, which saw them overhaul the so–called Group of Death with a game to
spare.
Speaking
with the duo of midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and match winner, Alex Iwobi, the
successful businessman urged the team not to rest on its oars, but to prepare
hard to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and Africa at the FIFA World Cup finals
in Russia next year summer.
Meanwhile,
Super Eagles’ Manager, Gernot Rohr has revealed that the team would begin
preparation for the World Cup immediately.
Nigeria
has won four matches, including the 2-1 defeat of Zambia in Ndola on match day
one, 3-1 victory over Algeria in Uyo, 4-0 bashing of Cameroun also in Uyo and
Saturday’s 1-0 win in the reversed fixture against Zambia on Saturday. The
team’s only draw came against Cameroun in Yaoundé.
The
Super Eagles will go to Algeria for the final game of Group B already assured
of a place in Russia.
Speaking
after Saturday’s game against Zambia, Rohr said: “It is not over yet. We need
to build a solid team for the World Cup.
“We
won four of the five matches played. With the quality of teams in the group, I
didn’t think it would be possible.”
On
the game against Zambia, Rohr acknowledged that “it was a very difficult game…
in fact the most difficult for us in the qualifying series because of what was
at stake; because we knew a win would take us there and we were eager to finish
it off.
“I
commend the Zambians for their spirit. They fought very hard. This team was
different from the one we defeated in Ndola last year; this was a much better
and stronger team.
“I
am very happy for the players and for this great nation, for us to qualify with
a match in hand. It is a good feeling and after this night, we will begin to
plan about how to prepare for the World Cup.
“But we have the final match in Algeria next month, and perhaps we can have a friendly within that window as well and begin the preparation for Russia 2018.”
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