Ahead the African Cup of Nation-Morocco 2015 qualifying match between? Nigeria’s Super Eagles and visiting Congolese National team holding in Calabar the Cross River state capital this afternoon, an Abuja-based Non Governmental Organization NGO, the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN called on Nigerians to pray for the Eagles?to win the match urging the residents of Calabar and its environs to troop to the stadium to cheer the Eagles to victory.
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> Eagles, as the reigning African champions begin the defense of AFCON with qualifying matches against Congo, South Africa and Sudan beginning with the encounter against Congo in Calabar. Recall that the Super Eagles emerged African Champions by winning the AFCON championship hosted by South Africa last year.
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> TAN in a statement issued in Abuja by its director of Communications and Strategy, Dr Udenta Udenta said that the Eagles need the prayer and support of all Nigerians to beat the Congolese with a wide margin? and begin the defense of the African most prestigious football trophy on brighter and strong note noting that a victory at this early stage will inspire the players to do well in subsequent matches.
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> The group who went to Brazil to the Eagles during the World Cup tournament in June 2014 told the senior National team players that Nigerians are looking forward to their darling team to retain the African trophy in Morocco come next year, charging them to go all out there and humble the visitors with as many goals as possible.
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> In the same vein the Abuja based NGO has called on football stakeholders In the country to eschew rancor, bitterness and selfish interested among themselves and find lasting solution to the current crisis bedeviling the football governing body Nigeria Football Federation NFF noting that the crisis in the Glass House is capable to derail the processes of football development as desired by President Jonathan through transformation agenda.
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> TAN expressed worry over the battle of leadership in the NFF said that the issue of football which is a major source of happiness and unity among Nigerians must be carefully handled at all times noting that the crises is impacting negatively on the image of that Mr President is striving to rebrand and polish with quality service delivery through transformation agenda.
> Udenta said, ” football is very dear to the good people of this country and the people can’t just tolerate any development that is threatening the welfare of the game, if FIFA bans Nigeria as it is threatening in recent time our football will go so many miles backward and the people can’t just accept that, so TAN Is calling on those in charge who have been part of the crises to consider the importance of football to the people and do something fast to put an end to it and allow football to move forward.”
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From Chuks Collins, Awka
