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Contrary to unproven claim by some critics that Nigeria fielded over-aged players at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup concluded last Friday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that the country’s Golden Eaglets “won fairly and convincingly.”

The Nigerian leader made the declaration last night during a reception for the team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He announced a cash gift of N2m each for the players, N3m for Head Coach Manu Garba; N2.5m each to assistant coaches Emmanuel Ameneke, Nduka Ugbade and Emeka Amadi; as well as N500,000 each to the team doctor, physiotherapist and team secretary, while the team technical officer, team coordinator, medical officers and the curator get N300,000 each.

Jonathan described the cash gifts as token, encouraging state governments and members of the organised private sector to join the Federal Government in appreciating players.

In addition, “the team, the handlers, the coaches and the officials including some key members of the supporters club and the Nigerian Football Federation will all be rewarded when we give national honours,” the Nigerian leader said.

Speaking before presenting the trophy to the President, Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, explained that the players were selected through a very competitive process and promised to sustain the team for greater exploits.

Also present at the ceremony were several top government officials and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The victorious Golden Eaglets had earlier been driven round Abuja in a motorcade.

Nigeria is the most successful country in the championship, having won it four of the ten times it has been staged since its introduction in 1985.

•Photo shows the victorious Golden Eaglets in a group photograph with President Jonathan and other top government officials.

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