One of the richest men in Nigeria, Femi Otedola has promised the Super Eagles of Nigeria the sum of $250,000 if they win the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been enjoying outstanding form since the 2021 AFCON began in Cameroon on January 9, 2022. Recall that the Nigeria’s national team started their campaign in the tournament on January 11, against 7 times champions of AFCON, Egypt. In the game that ended 1-0 in favor of Nigeria, the Super Eagles dominated the Pharaohs of Egypt from start to finish.
Afterward, Nigeria went on to beat Sudan 3-1 on January 15 to secure their place in the next round of the tournament. They didn’t stop there, they also beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0 on January 19 to finish top of Group D.
This means that the Super Eagles of Nigeria scored 6 goals and conceded just a goal in three games without dropping any point. They are the only team in the tournament that finished the group stage with a 100 percent winning record.
The next challenge for the team is to face Tunisia in the AFCON round of 16 on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at 20:00. Ahead of the game, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele visited the country’s national team’s camp in Cameroon as a representative of CACOVID, a private sector-led organization established to assist the government in fighting covid-19 in the country.
While addressing the team, Emefiele confirmed that Femi Otedola, one of the founding members of CACOVID has pledged to award the team with the sum of $250,000 if the Super Eagles of Nigeria lift the trophy.
As for the six goals the team has already scored in the tournament, the CBN governor revealed that CACOVID would pay the team $120,000 for the goals. He also revealed that the team would get $50,000 for each goal they score in the round of 16.
He went on to assure the team that they might get more financial incentives if they scale through to the next round of the tournament.
The CBN governor said: “I came with a message from the CACOVID. The CACOVID is the coalition of private-sector companies that was set up to fight COVID-19 in Nigeria and they have been happy with the performance of the team.
“During the meeting, I had with the captain (Ahmed Musa) and the coach (Austin Eguavoen), I delivered a message from CACOVID and the message is that, for every goal that is scored, the team will receive the naira equivalent of $20,000 so far, you have earned for yourself the naira equivalent of $120,000.
“We held a CACOVID meeting again because everyone is overjoyed for everything you’ve done so far, CACOVID has asked me to raise the ante.
“From the round of 16, for every goal scored, you will earn for yourselves as a team the naira equivalent of $50,000.
“Also, Femi Otedola, who is a member of CACOVID, has asked me to tell you that if you lift the trophy, he has in the bank for you, the naira equivalent of $250,000. This is just the beginning and I can assure you that if you win your round of 16 games, another promise might be made.”
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are seeking their fourth AFCON title in the history of the country’s football. The last time they won the tournament was in 2013 in South Africa. If they succeed in knocking out Tunisia on Sunday, they might meet Burkina Faso or Gabon in the quarter-final stage of the competition.
