‘Why Jonathan Lifted Ban On Eagles’

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria on Monday overturned his decision to ban the national football team for two years after their poor World Cup campaign.

The President lifted the ban after the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) promised to disband and rebuild the side.

The news came shortly before the deadline set by football’s world governing body FIFA was set to pass.

FIFA had said that it would expel Nigeria from world football if the government was seen to be interfering.

The Presidency said in a statement: “The NFF assured the President of their commitment to evolving an enduring football development programme, and grow a new senior national team that will bring glory rather than consistent embarrassment to Nigeria on the world stage.

“Based on these assurances, and the appeals of well-meaning Nigerians, including former leaders, President Jonathan has decided to review the earlier two-year ban on the country from all international football competitions.”

Last week, President Jonathan said that after the team’s unsuccessful World Cup campaign, they would be banned for two years.

On Sunday, the  NFF’s top officials were sacked in a bid to appease the President, after its president, Sani Lulu, first Vice President, Amanze Uchegbulam and Taiwo Ogunjobi were impeached By the board.

A source told Tidesports source that the sackings had not swayed the President’s decision, but that the NFF had requested to meet with the President on Monday to hold emergency talks ahead of FIFA’s deadline.

President Jonathan had said that the ban was necessary to “enable the country to put its house in order”.