Football - Nigeria's federal government has approved a special grant for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the participation of the country's senior national team, the Super Eagles, in June's FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.
According to the local media Wednesday, the decision was due to the success of the team at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, which it won 10 Feb.
“The truth is that nobody really thought of winning the cup and then playing in the Confederations Cup, but then things changed with winning the African Cup. Now, the Presidency is satisfied with the progress the team have made over time given the low level the country had dropped to,' a government official was quoted to have said.
“As a way of encouragement, a grant will be given to the NFF outside the original budget submitted. It is believed that they should settle most of their challenges as they now have a very marketable team in the Eagles as African champions,” the official said.
The details of the grant have not been disclosed.
For winning the Nations Cup, Nigeria will represent Africa at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, which is contested by eight teams - holders of each of the six FIFA confederation championships, as well as the FIFA World Cup defending champion and the host nation.
Pana 27/02/2013