Nigeria Sports Minister Wants Super Eagles to Get More Money for World Cup Performance

The Nigerian sports minister Solomon Dalung has revealed he has asked President Muhammadu Buhari himself to increase the funds allocated to the Nigerian football team for the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to start in Russia next month. Dalung met with President Buhari yesterday in Abuja, where the two talked about the budget for the 2018 World Cup.

Preparing for the Friendly Match on Monday

Commenting on the meeting with President Buhari, which took place at the Abuja Aso Rock Villa, Dalung said he had asked the president to intervene so that the funds could be released as soon as possible, and added the national team had already received all the funds from FIFA and CAF. Dalung also used the opportunity to confirm the friendly match against DR Congo will take place on Monday, May 28 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt. There were rumors the game could be canceled due to the ongoing Ebola crisis in DR Congo, but despite fears the deadly disease could be spread, the match will go through as planned.

Finding the Final 23

Nigerian national football team head coach Gernot Rohr had announced his preliminary squad list for the World Cup in Russia a week ago, with a couple of surprising choices. A total of 30 players made the list, while seven of them will be cut by the time the German is required to submit the final selection. NPFL top scorer Junior Lokosa and Crotone striker Simy Nwankwo have made the cut, along with Stephen Eze, Ola Aina, and Bryan Idowu. Tyronne Ebuehi ’s place in the team doesn’t look certain, while Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem will also fight for the ticket to Russia, together with Uche Agbo and Joel Obi. Rohr has enough time to decide on his final 23, and the upcoming game against DR Congo should make things more clear.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group D at the 2018 World Cup finals. The Super Eagles play their first game against Croatia in Kaliningrad on June 16, before facing Iceland in Volgograd five days later. The final group game against title contenders Argentina takes place on June 26 in Saint Petersburg.