The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has described the Super Eagles’ emphatic 10-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe in the 2023 AFCON qualifier played in Agadir, Morocco on Monday as soul-lifting.
The Eagles took their opponents to the cleaners in a devastating manner to position themselves at the top of Group A with the maximum six points from two games and a very healthy goal difference of eleven.
The Sports Minister said the convincing win is also a confirmation that the rebuilding process of the team is on course.
Also Read – 2023 AFCONQ: Osimhen Scores Four Goals As Eagles Destroy Sao Tome & Principe 10-0
“I congratulate the Super Eagles for this historic victory. It was not just the result but also the performance. It clearly confirms that the rebuilding process of the team is on course. This is a morale boosting performance and I commend the team, the coaches, the players and their officials for this.”
Dare would then use the opportunity to assure the team that their home ground, the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja will be restored to an excellent state before their next AFCON qualifier in September.
“We, as a Ministry, take the responsibility for the state of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja when you played against Sierra Leone.
“The excitement of having the stadium back to life led to a few issues like the over use and the infestation by a specie of termites and bugs.
“We have engaged a new grass consultant and got a hold of these issues and in a few weeks, the pitch will be back in the excellent shape it was before the World Cup qualifier against Ghana last March.
“Every other thing like the water sprinklers, digital scoreboards, Media Centre, Conference rooms, change rooms, medical centre are fully functional and we will have the training pitches 100% ready as well.
“We will continue to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to sports and also thank Alhaji Aliko Dangote for his contributions in helping us restore the glory of the stadium from the farmland that it was then to what it is today,” Dare concluded.
Photo credit: @RandaAndrew (Twitter)
11 Comments
Greedy leaders that are shameless……instead of you to hide your head in shame you are bringing it out……Mr minister you like the victory but you forgot that the beautiful pitch was also a contributing factor……The pitch made SE to be able to distinguish themselves and play their game unlike the bad pitches you greedy leaders make them play in Nigeria…… Nigerian pitches will make our SE struggle and thereby helping the weaker teams bridge the gap in quality between the two teams thereby bringing SE to their level…….I wonder why a country like Nigeria with all it’s riches and resources can not present a descent pitch to play good football that unites us……na wa o
These corrupt leaders need to rot in hell. The stadium in Agadir is not even one of the top 4 in Morocco and yet it has a lush grass that will aid free flowing football yet it is way better than our national stadium in the capital of the country. Shame on you Mr minister. May God punish these evil people…
These guys scored 10 because they are playing on a familiar pitch, this is no far from what they are used to in Europe, I can bet my money, we wouldn’t score 10 if the match was played in Abuja.
Immediately I saw the training clip yesterday I knew these guys will score at least 2-3 goals without struggling too much, and when I saw 10 goals, I`m just a little bit moved but not surprise.
Promised what ? These NFF people were thanking and praising Dangote when that stadium is being refurbished, just before Ghana match, and you are already talking about renovating the pitch already ? you shouldn’t have mentioned the stadium here at all, if you have a little bit of shame.
Now he confessed the pitch in Nigeria is not at par with what is obtainable in other countries and have been a determine factor for the team poor showing especially at home. But when they complain he will tell them to shut up but he celebrating 10:0 against Sao Tome and Principe mtcheww
Mr. Minister,
Please, take next match to Uyo or another stadium where we have good pitch.
Don’t take Nigeria match to that Abiola stadium until it’s in perfect condition. We all saw good Morocco pitch today and I know that the stadium used for today’s match is not Moroccan best stadium.
Uyo stadium is there. Fix the location on time for the governor to prepare the stadium for the match.
Abuja fans are additional issue. They are minus as long as football is concerned.
God bless Nigeria
Must the Super Eagles score 10 goals to remind the Almighty Honourable Minister to maintain the national stadium pitch at international standards? Blind leaders who cannot see the environmental decency of other places!
When I said this man should be forced to resign as minister of sports, it turned out I was the lone voice in the wilderness
Can someone please shut this man up! Agadir, is a provincial capital, NOT, the capital of Morocco! Yet, they have a stadium that is as good as what you can get in any major European country. Our talkative and low IQd Minister is talking about termite and bug infestation in a stadium handed over to your ministry in March! This man Dare, is not qualified to be a gate keeper in the Ministry of sports let alone the Minister.
Bassey, our best lb and cb, sanusi is good too though and should start because bassey solves majority of our cb probs. You see bassey, he defends like a top class defender, making defending look easy. not only that, he and ajayi who was impressive, started the playmaking from the back, they contributed to us playing smoothly and very cordinated for the major part of this game, the moment bassey was substituted, it felt like sao tame could score, and we became a bit disorganized
African Magic!Sports Ministry is awarding contracts to eradicate phantom insects they claim destroyed the pitch! Happebd only in Nigeria!!
It seems that this so-called sports minister goes about his workday with a few loose nuts in his head. Has he not been warned of the deplorable state of that “National stadium” in Abuja? Is he lacking ideas on what to do? No! We, the patriotic fans of the SE, have suggested steps that could be taken to maintain our stadiums at optimal levels, pointing out that playing in suboptimal stadiums sabotages our interests. Do they listen?
Now he is talking about phantom termites and bugs. His hands are beginning to itch for ill-gotten money. Go ahead, award contracts to terminate the bugs to your cronies, and pay no attention to the bumpy surface that sends the ball tangentially off course, causing our boys to suffer awkward falls and injuries. Next time, another contract . . .
Nigerian leaders are very wicked, indeed.