In the 13-minute long conversation, Jonathan urged the Eagles to brush Mali aside in their semi-final match and qualify for the final, where they will face either Ghana or Burkina Faso.
The president spoke with head coach Stephen Keshi, his assistant Daniel Amokachi and the skipper of the team, Joseph Yobo, assuring them he will make them happy if they win the cup.
Excerpts from the tele-conference:
Jonathan: ”Is Stephen Keshi there?”
Keshi: ”Yes Sir.”
Jonathan: ”Are you okay, I want to see your face. What of Amokachi?”
Keshi: ”Amokachi is right here Sir.”
Jonathan: ”How are you feeling in South Africa and how is the spirit in the camp?”
Keshi: ”It is good Sir.”
Jonathan: ”On behalf of our great country, I want to encourage you and to tell you that Nigerians are very happy with your performance and we are hoping on to you that just last night we flag off our centenary celebration, that is the 100 years of amalgamation of Nigeria as a modern nation and we believe that you bring the cup to your fatherland this year.
”We are very hopeful we are all proud of you, we are all happy with what you have done and want you to do more. I hope the camp is okay?
”The camp is well sir, the boys are listening to you.”
The President requested the boys to show their faces one after the other and he chatted with each and every one of them accordingly.
Yobo: ”I am the Captain, Joseph Yobo, I am here with the Coach.
”Your Excellency, we appreciate you and we promised that by the grace of God, we will bring the cup back to you.”
Jonathan: ”We are expecting it, do your best, Nigerian are very hopeful and all Nigerians are happy with what you are doing and we are expecting that you bring the cup to Nigeria this year. The country promised you the best, get the cup first. We will make you very happy young men.”
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Patrick Ekejii, in an interview with State House correspondents after the conferencing, said that the president’s gesture had motivated the boys.
He said it was the highest level of motivation for the President to speak with them as they prepared for the match on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Jonathan has congratulated the SUPER EAGLES for defeating MALI in the semi-final match held yesterday.
- Ade Omoba, Meshak Crown Dalugus, Dosunmu Modinat Omobolanle and 2 others like this.
- Revd Balogun Oladayo Very good Mr President, that what we have been expecting from u sir. God bless u sir.
