The Super Eagles stay in Campinas, on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, has turned out to be one of the best decisions taken by the Nigeria Football Federation for Mundial 2014, as not only inhabitants of the area have been pouring out to catch a glimpse of the Nigerian side but government officials and club owners.
On Wednesday evening the Mayor of Campinas, Mr Donas Donizete, visited the team’s hotel, with top government officials after dinner to felicitate with the squad. Before then, owner of the oldest and famous club in Campinas, which incidentally owns the Estadio Brinco de Ouro da Princesa, the pitch where the Eagles have been training visited the team during the evening training session.
The Club President, Alvaro Negrao, said he came to wish the team well and made a special request for the Super Eagles to beat Argentina in their last group game. “The whole of Brazil will be cheering you in that game”, he said. He thereafter presented players and officials of the Nigerian side with green jerseys, which incidentally is the colour of the Guarani Football Club, which was founded in 1911.
In his address, the Campinas Mayor, thanked Nigeria for choosing the city which is home to over one million people as their camp base. He said he foresees Nigeria going all the way but said he would be torn between his love for Nigeria and his home country Brazil if both countries were to meet in the course of the championship.
In a symbolic gesture he brought an African brother to tell the story of how several Nigerians through slave trade help build Campinas and several other cities across Portugal, thanking them for their heroics of yesteryears.
He then presented the Nigerian side with beautiful flowers and an encased World Cup football that were received by team skipper, Joseph Yobo from a beautiful damsel that came with the Mayor, who left many players and officials mouth agape. “Its our own way of showing you and the other country that chose Campinas as their team base (Portugal), that we love you and we hope you go all the way and do your country and Campinas proud”.
Also on Thursday all the players and officials completed their accreditation process for the World Cup in the presence of top FIFA officials. The team was also taken through grills on new goal line technology, match fixing, security, media responsibilities and general conduct in an even that lasted for about two hours.
