{{Cheering fans thronged the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to receive the victorious Super Eagles who returned Tuesday from South Africa where they were crowned at the weekend as continental football kings.}}
The Eagles had on Sunday night defeated Burkina Faso by a lone goal to become the African Champions for the third time.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bala Mohammed, who led other top officials of the administration to receive the Eagles had a herculean task gaining entrance into the arrival hall of the airport as the crowd surged, resulting in a stampede.
Security agents watched helplessly as the surging crowd smashed the glass doors in the ensuing euphoria and stampede, which also temporarily paralysed other official airport activities.
As part of the ceremonies, the FCT administration had provided large capacity buses to convey fans from the satellite towns in Abuja to give a rousing welcome to the heroic footballers both at the airport and the National Stadium, Abuja, for a mini-reception in their honour.
Residents, including women as well as school children who lined the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua expressway leading to the airport, also waved as the convoy headed to the stadium.
The Minister of State for the FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, and Neo-Black Movement (NBM) of Africa commended the Eagles for making the nation proud.
Akinjide was elated by the fact that the senior national team was led to victory by a Nigerian coach, Stephen Keshi and also assisted by Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi, a Nigerian.
She and the group (which issued a statement by its national president, Bemigho Eyeoyibo) noted that the team displayed a high level of commitment, dedication and patriotism.
According to them, the team’s victory restored the nation’s pride and positioned the country in its rightful place as Giant of Africa in football.
Akinjide oversees the FCT Department of Sports in the Social Development Secretariat.
They enjoined Nigerians to learn from the strong determination, the will to succeed and patriotic zeal that brought victory to the team and the nation.”
They urged the team not to rest on its oars but to strive and work towards achieving a similar feat at the forthcoming FIFA Confederations Cup and World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
The superlative performance of the national football team was the only issue discussed by the Senate yesterday with the chamber urging Stephen Keshi to rescind his decision to quit as the coach of the team. He had earlier done so.
Following reports that Keshi resigned shortly after the tournament, Senate President David Mark yesterday told the chamber that he got in touch with the coach who confirmed the development, stressing that he took the action because of interference.
Moving a motion supported by all the senators on the floor yesterday, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu noted that the trophy had eluded Nigeria for 19 years but the national team, through a good outing, was able to return the cup to Nigeria.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central) congratulated all Nigerians, especially President Goodluck Jonathan, in whose tenure the feat was achieved.
“I am proud to be a Nigerian, especially the confidence displayed by Nigerians in South Africa made me a proud Nigerian. We should try to re-invigorate the spirit of Nigerians in any tournament.
He said victory was for the leadership of the country to know that issues of ethnicity, religion and politics were secondary to the country.
“This was the first time that the issue of money did not come to the fore before playing any match in the tournament”, he said.
Senator Ndoma-Egba noted that the first two matches were played with apprehension but as the tournament got to crucial stages, the real colours of the team came out until the game was won by Nigeria, adding that “even Boko Haram watched the matches.”
Mark added: “I spoke with Stephen Keshi this morning and he confirmed to me that he actually said he has resigned. He said the reason is because there is too much interference.
Before the final tournament on Sunday, there was a lot of pressure on him that he must accept foreign technical team or foreign technical advisers and he said he is opposed to it because he has got all that it needs in this country and that there are Nigerians who can work with him and he doesn’t see the gain in bringing foreigners.
He said he was sorry he had to actually put in his resignation. But I think he is amenable, he is prepared to rescind it provided we don’t force foreign technical partners on him.
“The disposition of other nations towards Nigeria whilst I was there surprisingly in the state box, almost all the countries were supporting Burkina Faso for some inexplicable reasons. It shows that people believe that we have the potential.
People believe that we are great and we must show this greatness not only in words but also in deeds. Because we are always going about saying we are the giant Africa. We have to prove that we are truly the giant of Africa in every sphere of life.”
NGuardian
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