President George Weah of Liberia says the Super Eagles of Nigeria will not only be representing the country but entire Africa at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
In an interview with State House correspondents after a meeting with Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, Weah at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.
Weah, who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time with one Ballon d’Or accolade to his name, also stressed the need for adequate preparation on the part of the Eagles for the impending Mundial.
The three-time African Footballer of the Year award winner also beseeched stakeholders in the sport ministry to ensure that the Eagles are afforded deserved incentives so as to guarantee their focus during their preparation for the tourney.
“I think Nigerian team is a model, we all followed them. I have played with great Nigerian players, I played against them. Now you have a new generation, the fact that they qualified is a good thing for Nigeria,” Weah said.
“But I hope that they will prepare very early because they are going to represent Africa and we will be there to watch them, for them to bring the trophy for the first time if it is possible.
“But I think the seriousness to go to World Cup is not to pay players to go, I want every African government to know, if you win World Cup is a pride to Africa, it is not just to Nigeria, so we must do everything to ensure that the players are not stressed, make sure they concentrate, make sure their incentives are given to them to motivate them.
“Some of the things you see at the World Cup, you will see an entire team go to represent a whole country and you will hear that one minister took the money, they did not pay these players and the players are causing problem. When players are going to camp, it is to relax and focus. And for them to be in camp they must have everything there for them not to worry.
“Remember I played in European setting, when we go camp we have nothing to do. The only thing we have to do is to take a shower and prepare for the game, everything is laid down here and so you have no excuse.
“So let the players not have excuse, support them and let them go and bring back that cup.”
