16th November, 2013
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan believes the country’s team could make history by becoming the first African team to win the World Cup next year.
On Saturday, in the southern city of Calabar, Nigeria beat Ethiopia 2-0 for a 4-1 aggregate triumph to qualify for their fifth World Cup.
“As the team and its handlers bask in the glory of being the first African country to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, President Jonathan urges them to rededicate themselves to excelling on the global stage and reaching for heights never previously attained by the country at the World Cup Finals,” read a statement by the president’s media adviser Reuben Abati.
“The President believes that with the enormous pool of footballing talent available to the country, the Super Eagles can, with more hard work, dedication, resilience and further honing of their skills and tactics, fulfil the national dream of being the first African nation to win the World Cup.”
Nigeria’s best performance at the World Cup was in 1994 and 1998 when they reached the Round of 16, while they failed to go past the first round in 2002 and 2010.