(L-R) Marketing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Oriakhi, the senior Brand Manager, “33” Export lager beer, Aishat Anaekwe the Senior Media & Brand PR Manager Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sandra Amachree and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the ‘Best of Nigeria Corporates’ event organised by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday night in Lagos.
Foremost Nigerian drinks, “33” Export Lager beer and Amstel Malta Ultra were top on the list of brands celebrated Wednesday night in Lagos by the Nigeria Football Federation NFF).
The NFF in an elaborate ceremony dubbed Dinner with the ‘Best of Nigeria Corporates’ gave special recognitions to the brands for the unbroken support it had given to Nigerian football and how millions of fans who had hitherto diverted their passion to foreign soccer but today have returned to follow the national teams with passion.
“The fan-based support of “33” Export Lager beer and Amstel Malta Ultra had given us over the years is paying off going by the rating Nigerian football had attained in the last few years.
“Millions of Nigerians have returned to the stadium, many follow Super Eagles and other national teams via the platforms “33” Export lager and Amstel Malta Ultra had created with entertainment, engagements and across all their digital platforms aside the massive financial commitment to the national teams,” NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick noted to the admiration of top dignitaries including Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe at the event.
The long-standing award was received by the Marketing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Oriakhi, who assured the brands will not relent in the quest to take the country’s sports including football to a higher level.
“Nigerian youths are passionate about football and we are indeed glad to create the platform with which they can showcase their respective talents.
“Not everyone who has the desire to play football could get the opportunity but the rest can stand behind the team and share the team in one way or the other because our desire is to connect them in a friendly way at all times,” he remarked.
The on-going campaign slogan, Lets Go Naija’ indeed captured the brands’ full support for Super Eagles and a reminder to the millions of football fans to cheer Super Eagles to victory in the on-going ‘Road to Qatar’ the World Cup African qualifying matches.
Since the brands became the official drinks of the Super Eagles, the partnership with NFF, no doubt has been a unique one following the solid fan-base the team had attained in the last few years of the partnership.
Nigerians have come to identify with the team similar to what is obtained among top European clubs.
As the exclusive sponsor of the ‘Man of the Match’ award during their games, Super Eagles had recorded many uninterrupted victories notably the final qualifying matches to the next AFCON tournament in Cameroon when they qualified with a game in hand and the ongoing World Cup qualifying matches as they top the Group C standing with maximum points from the two matches played so far.
