Kingsley Kanayo
The Super Eagles of Nigeria received a morale booster on Monday as the Rivers State government has promised a handsome $20,000 for every goal scored in the crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Senior National Team of Swaziland, nicknamed Sihlangu Somnikati, on Tuesday in Port-Harcourt.
The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Kenneth Kobani, made the pledge to the Super Eagles on behalf of the state after attending their final training session on Monday.
Mr. Kobani told the players that Governor Wike was away in Abuja but would be back to host the Eagles to a dinner hopefully after they would have qualified for the next stage of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
The Eagles fired blank in the reverse fixture in Lobamba last Friday but the Coach Sunday Oliseh-tutored side have now been told to wear their scoring boots for Tuesday’s second leg that will hold at the 40,000–capacity Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Interestingly, Swaziland team officials, especially the coach, Harries Bulunga, have been talking tough ahead of Tuesday’s game.
Bulunga reiterated the position he held after the first leg in Lobamba on Friday, declaring that his team was aiming to record one of the biggest upsets in African football in recent years.
“We held our own very well in the first leg and we will go for broke on Tuesday,” the coach declared.
Already, FIFA has selected Namibian official, Jackson Pavaza, to handle the Nigeria, Swaziland tie.
__________
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2015 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.
