Senate President David Mark on Friday urged the Super Eagles to go for victory in their match against their Ethiopian counterparts on Saturday.
The senate president, in a statement issued in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said that the Super Eagles must not leave anything to chance.
He reminded the players and officials that apart from their qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, national pride was at stake in the match against the Ethiopians.
“As African champions, your pride and that of the nation is at stake. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.
“The Nigerian spirit is already in Brazil and we cannot afford to fail,’’ he said.
Mark assured the Super Eagles that the government and people of Nigeria were behind them in prayers, adding that their welfare would not be compromised.
He said that the National Assembly had resolved to increase budgetary allocation to the sports sector.
“Now that Nigerians have discovered that sports are a great tool for peace and unity in Nigeria, we, at the National Assembly, will ensure that the peace is sustained.
“We also have comparative advantage in football and we would do the needful to promote and sustain the momentum,’’ he said.
The match will be played at TJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River.
