The New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has hailed the senior national football team, the Super Eagles, for the feat they achieved Sunday afternoon by defeating the Wayla Antelopes of Ethiopia during the crucial Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifying match in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

“We wish to commend the never-say-die spirit which the team exhibited during the match despite playing on a dry, rough pitch under inclement weather and in front of a hostile crowd. This feat was just simply great that the Ethiopian senior Team was the Team that sent another African giant the Bafala Bafala Football team of South Africa packing from the group stage of the African elimination series of the 2014 World Cup,” the party said yesterday in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze.

“We are proud and grateful to the Stephen Keshi-led technical crew and the players for heeding our call to “Go to Ethiopia and conquer” as contained in our pre-match goodwill message of last week Friday. We also commend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Nigerian Supporters Club and the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia for the roles they played in giving the Eagles the right atmosphere to excel during the match,” New PDP added.

The party also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for personally visiting the team during their training session at the Addis Ababa National Stadium to motivate the team on the eve of the match.

“We thank God for hearing our prayers, particularly those of our National Chairman and his praying team in Mecca,” the statement said, dding:

“We urge the Super Eagles not to celebrate yet until total victory is achieved at Calabar, even as we appeal to Mr. President to ensure that the team is adequately supported to win the return leg in Calabar on November 16 and thus land in Brazil in grand style.

“On our part, we assure the Super Eagles of our unalloyed support. Already, our National Chairman has directed that our November National Working Committee (NWC) meeting be shifted to Calabar to enable members cheer the team to victory. We urge all Nigerians to contribute their quota towards ensuring outright victory in Calabar. Football is not only a unifying factor but also a source of joy to millions of Nigerians. Our qualification for the Brazil 2014 World Cup is therefore worth every effort and every expense.

“Brazil beckons! Let’s go, Super Eagles! Let’s go, Nigerians!”

•Photo shows the Super Eagles celebrating a victory.

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