Super Eagles: The President has approved payment of outstanding debt he inherited – Minister

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The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has exhibited dedication by approving a substantial sum for settling the outstanding debt inherited by the members of the national team, the Super Eagles.

Enoh also credited Nigeria’s impressive performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire to the collaborative efforts and determination of all stakeholders involved in Nigerian football.

Nevertheless, he stressed that there is still considerable work ahead for both the Ministry and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to elevate Nigerian football to its rightful position on the continent and globally.

During a recent media interview, Enoh emphasized the significance of nurturing local football, with a particular focus on improving the Nigerian league. He underscored the necessity of increased funding as a pivotal factor in the overall advancement of sports.

These statements were conveyed in a release by Diana-Mary Nsan, S.A. Media to the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, on Saturday.

“The success we witnessed at the 2023 AFCON was a result of a combination of factors – first, the leadership of the country, Mr. President demonstrated commitment by approving a significant amount for the payment of outstanding he inherited to the members of the National Team,” Enoh said.

“That gave me the first signal that all was going to be good at the AFCON. A lot of other factors from the Ministry’s operations, the NFF, and the support of Nigerians also played a role in our run at the AFCON.”

“We have a challenge to qualify for the next AFCON and also the 2026 World Cup, but I think we also need to get back and sort out other issues. For example, we want to ensure we have our coaching area sorted out, and also get back to that point in the history of our sports and football, where foreign-based players compete for jerseys with the local based players. That means looking inwards at our local football to improve its competitiveness and technical levels, even in coaching,” he said.