Minister Savours F/Eagles Victory

The Sports Minister, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has said that Nigeria’s victory over Cameroon last Sunday in Johannesburg is a further demonstration of the country’s capability.

“It is a demonstration of the fact that with total commitment, unity of purpose and good leadership, Nigeria can rule the world in all aspects of human endeavour,” he said.

The minister who spoke as the head of a federal government delegation to receive the victorious Nigerian team in Lagos earlier in the week, said that determination gave it the victory.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles had beaten the Cameroonian men’s under-20 football team 3-2 after extra time in the South African capital city.

The victory was in the final match of the 17th CAF African Youth Championship (AYC), giving Nigeria her sixth title in the competition since its inception in 1979

The Flying Eagles whose last title win was in 2005 at Benin Republic had taken a 2-0 lead late into the second half of the match at the Dobsonville Stadium.

But Cameroon had stormed back to draw level for the match to go into extra time, with substitute Terry Envoh’s 92nd minute goal clinching victory for the team.

Adedoja noted that the victory showed that Nigerians can always achieve all they set out to do with determination and patriotism.

“For the Nigeian team to come back and beat the Cameroonian team which had beaten them 1-0 at the first round group stage, it is a demonstration of determination and true patriotism.

“It shows that Nigeria can achieve her goal of being one of the top 20 countries in the world by the year 2020,” he said.

The minister then charged the Flying Eagles to see their victory as a step towards winning the 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Cup later this year in Colombia.

Adedoja who is also Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) praised President Goodluck Jonathan “for the immense support and good guidance he has given Nigerian sports”.

He equally praised the team for fulfilling its promise to Jonathan to win the AYC, promising that the NSC would give the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) the required assistance.

“We will do all that is required to enable all national football teams do well in all international competitions,” the minister said.

He disclosed that the federal government would continue to develop sports and all other activities that would enable Nigerian youths achieve their full potentials in their chosen fields.