Nigeria’s President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has splashed cash, land and national awards on the players and officials of the Super Eagles for lifting the Africa Cup of Nations.
Jonathan, at a reception for the officials and players on Tuesday, announced a cash incentive of N10 million to the Head Coach of the team, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, and N5 million to other coaches and players.
The team’s technical officials are to receive N5 million cash award each.
In addition to the cash award, the players and officials are also to get a plot of land each in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
While Keshi was conferred with the national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger, his assistants – Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorunmu – and team captain, Joseph Yobo, were awarded the Officer of the Federal Republic.
Other players were conferred with the award of the Member of the Order of the Niger. The players and officials were decorated with the national honours by Jonathan shorty after he announced the incentives.
The Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the occasion was another moment of national rebirth. Abdullahi added: “This is indeed a breath of fresh air.
The Super Eagles defeated the Stallions of Burkina Faso by a lone goal in the final of the AFCON to lift the trophy.