Jonathan charges Eagles to win World Cup in 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has charged the victorious Super Eagles not rest on their oars but work harder to qualify for and bring home the World Cup in 2014.

The Eagles, who defeated the Stallions of Burkina Faso on Sunday to claim Nigeria’s third AFCON trophy in South Africa, formally presented the covetous trophy to the president at a state banquet held in their honour.

Jonathan, who was visibly pleased with the achievement, said rather than consider the conquest of Africa as the ultimate, the Eagles should endeavour to ensure that Nigeria’s national anthem is sang at the grand finale of the global soccer showpiece in 2014 in Brazil.

And in keeping with his promise that they will be rewarded if they won the Nations Cup, the president doled out national honours, cash awards and land allocation in Abuja to each Eagles and members of the technical crew.

Already, the Eagles lead their group comprising Kenya, Namibia and Malawi with four points and will play the next qualifying match against the Harambee Stars of Kenya next month.

Meanwhile, the president has appreciated the unrelenting efforts of the Nigeria Supporters’ club with N5m for for their patience, perseverance and sacrifice in cheering the Eagles to victory.

Speaking yesterday at the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Jonathan said he had forgotten to mention the Supporters’ Club while rewarding the African Champions.

He then thanked the Supporters’ Club for supporting the team through thick and thin, adding that its job is the most difficult as the members do always keeping on drumming, singing and dancing to boost the morale of the team.

“You will discover that anytime a team is losing, everybody will just be disillusioned but even if a team concedes hundred goals in a game, the Supporters’ Club will keep on singing and dancing and urging the players to play on,” President Jonathan said.