Telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria yesterday showered praises and gifts on the Super Eagles for their superlative performances at the just concluded AFCON games in Cote d’Ivoire.
The telecom outfit said the Super Eagles that finished as runner up to the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, have done Nigeria proud for their commitment and passion which was clearly on display throughout the tournament.
Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Karl Toriola, lauded the players just as the Captain of the Team Williams Troost-Ekong said the achievement of the team represented signs of good things to come for the country.
They all made the remarks at the breakfast reception organised for the Super Eagle at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja.
The event was attended by all the players, officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the team’s technical crew headed by Jose Peseiro and his assistants.
Troost-Ekong who spoke while Ahmed Musa stood by his side, commended Nigerians for their unwavering support for the team even as he promised that good things would follow for the country in subsequent games of the Super Eagles.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has lauded MTN Nigerian for hosting the Nigerian Supper Eagles, saying other corporate bodies should emulate MTN and support the Super Eagles and the NFF.
Gusau said without finance the team could not have achieved what it achieved, adding that for the federation to achieve more in football development more cooperate organisations should fund football development through the NFF.
The Chairman MTN Board of Directors Prof. Ernest Ndukwe, said MTN decided to host the team as its own way of giving back to the society for all the support it has been getting all these years from Nigerians.
“This is because MTN is a sport loving organization. Over the years, we have always wanted to support the Supper Eagles in various ways. MTN is fully committed to continuing the Super Eagles,” Ndukwe said.
“We are building a nation where sports has a great role to play as a unifying force. So if we support sports, we are actually promoting unity among Nigerians.”
Toriola expressed appreciation to the team for their passion and the emotional commitment of the players to succeed.
“What I liked about this team which we haven’t seen in other teams of other nations was the visible emotional commitment to succeed, unfortunately we didn’t bring the cup home but that was always going to be difficult when you are playing against your host country. It was incredible and the resilience that you showed getting to the finals,
“You guys have shown your complete commitment through your leadership and we are extremely proud of you supporting the Nigerian football federation and the super eagles, ” he said.
Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, thanked everyone that supported the team all through their preparations and the tournament proper.
“To the NFF I thank you, MTN I thank you, Nigerians I thank you for all the support”, Peseiro said.
Speaking further, Team Captain, Troost Ekong said “this is the beginning of a new era.
“Thank you NFF, thank you MTN, thank you Nigerians, thank you our fans. We have given everything we have and have made everyone proud. But we will be better in the future. Because this is not the end but the beginning of something new, and we are hoping for the best.”’
