TheCable

Sunday Dare, the minister of youth and sports development, has described the Super Eagles’ 10-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played in Agadir, Morocco as “soul lifting.”

The Eagles took their opponents to the cleaners in a devastating manner to position themselves at the top of Group A with the maximum six points from two games and a very healthy goal difference of eleven.

Dare said the convincing win also confirmed that the rebuilding process of the senior national team was on course.

“It was not just the result but also the morale boosting performance and I commend the coaches, players and other officials for this win,” he said.

The minister also assured the team that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja — which is its home ground — would be restored to excellent state before the next AFCON qualifier in September.

“As a ministry, we take responsibility for the state of the stadium when you played against Sierra Leone on June 9. We have engaged a new grass consultant and got a hold of other salient issues and in a few weeks, the pitch will be back in excellent shape,” he said.

“Every other thing like the water sprinklers, digital scoreboards, media centre, conference rooms, change rooms and medical centre are fully functional and we will have the training pitches 100 per cent ready as well.”

Dare, who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to sports development in the country, also thanked Aliko Dangote for his efforts in helping to restore the Abuja stadium to its old useful state.