Home-based Super Eagles players and their officials were left disappointed after no momentary reward was offered them following Wednesday’s presidential reception at Nigeria’s seat of power, Aso Rock.
The players and their officials were finally hosted by the country’s number one citizen, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday after several postponements.
The Home Eagles came second at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco in February after going down to a 4-0 defeat against the hosts in the final.
President Buhari also received the FIFA World Cup trophy in Abuja on Wednesday and also hosted the Bobsled and Skeleton athletes who made history by becoming the first Nigerians to compete at the Winter Olympics.
The players who were expecting financial rewards from the President went home disappointed as they were only offered handshakes for their efforts at CHAN.
“Disappointed is an understatement, we were hoping to get something meaningful from the president for our performance at CHAN, but nothing came out,” a member of the team who spoke on the condition of anonymity told CompleteSports.
“I wonder why they organised the reception in the first place when they knew the only thing they would give us is handshake.”
Another key member of the team also echoed his anger on the President’s handshake policy.
“To say we had to wait this long for the reception makes the whole thing very painful. You can also imagine us travelling from different parts of the country to Abuja and getting nothing in the end,” the player stated.
“We fought hard for the glory of this country in Morocco and deserve better than this.
“I can tell you we are all disappointed but we have decided to move on from it.”
