By Daily Sports on August 15, 2016
Excited about the qualification of the Nigeria U23 team for the semi finals of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports has again assured players and officials of the team that they will be given all that is due to them.
Goals by Captain Mikel Obi and Aminu Umar shut out Denmark and saw Nigeria reach the tournament's last four.
Addressing the players and officials after the 2-0 defeat of Denmark in Saturday’s quarter final match in Salvador, the Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Chinyeaka Ohaa, said: "I am happy to be a Nigerian, because in spite of all the challenges, you have taken the world by storm; you have by your performance given happiness to more than 160 million Nigerians. Football is the biggest unifying factor in Nigeria today. From Mr. President to the average Nigerian you have made everyone proud today.
"I am humbled by your efforts, your commitment, your patriotism. I want to assure you that your sacrifices will not be in vain. Aside whatever the NFF have for you, we will as much as possible make you happy, if only you will be patient with us. Today, with your performance, I am convinced that you will get that gold.”
Responding, Captain Mikel Obi said: "We want to thank you for your fatherly support. In truth, there have been a lot of challenges, but every time we go onto the field, we forget about everything and make sure our fatherland comes first. We have done that so far and we will continue to do that, but we need more motivation."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has refunded to Captain Mikel Obi the $4,600 he paid for the team in São Paulo on their way to Salvador.
•Sourced from thenff.com. Photo shows Mikel Obi
Source Daily Sports
Posted August 15, 2016
You may also like...
Why I dumped Barca for Inter Milan at...
Benzema suffers hamstring injury
GTI Rescue Mission: That Nigerian League May Excel...
Rufai solicits HotSports’ partnership for football talent hunt...
NFF Top Shot Celebrates Flying Eagles’ 1-1 Draw...
Egypt to play Nigeria in March friendly

How Arsenal can win Premier League
NWFL player Ihotu regains freedom after N1.5m ransom
Onyeka doubtful for Bristol clash
D’Tigers drop to 53rd in world rankings
Commonwealth Games: Nigeria’s boxing trials final hold today
Don’t compare Itauma to Tyson — Lewis
Enyimba will bounce back – Awazie
128 boxers battle for 10 slots at 2026 C’wealth Games
Orbih returns for third stint as Nigeria badminton boss
Customs, Vipers shine at Ghana volleyball champs
Wheelchair basketball camp opens ahead C’Wealth Games qualifiers
Abinusawa wins double Ivy conference gold
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,592 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,917 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,825 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,448 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,364 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,278 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,153 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,696 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,867 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,387 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,781 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,255 views)