FIFA World Cup winner Christian Karembeu has tipped the Super Eagles of Nigeria to be one of the standout teams at the 21st FIFA World Cup finals taking place in Russia this summer.
The Les Bleus legend, a member of France’s 1998 World Cup –winning squad, made this assertion at a world press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday to welcome the original World Cup trophy to Nigeria. He is the FIFA Representative accompanying sport world’s most recognizable diadem on the fourth Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour.
“Yes, we know there are a number of strong African countries in the game but Nigeria has always been a great footballing nation, and they have an exciting team heading to the FIFA World Cup in Russia. I have played alongside and against so many Nigerian players and I can attest to their strength and ambition. I believe the present Super Eagles squad is capable of great things,” said Karembeu, as he congratulated the President of NFF, Mr. Amaju Pinnick on the Super Eagles’ berth in Russia 2018.
Pinnick described Coca-Cola as a super brand that the Federation is happy to partner with, and stated that the Nigerian Football family is delighted with the arrival of the World Cup trophy.
Bhupendra Suri, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, reiterated that what was brought to Nigeria and what is being taken round the world is “the original, solid gold FIFA World Cup trophy” and not a replica, and that Nigeria is one of few special countries where the trophy would be seen in two different cities.
Suri also announced that Coca-Cola would soon unveil a promotion in which Nigerians will win all-expense-paid trip to the World Cup finals in Russia, with Managing Director of Nigeria Bottling Company, Georgios Polymenakos insisting Nigerians deserve this as a result of their incredible passion for the game.
An official from world football –governing body, FIFA later presented a gift of a micro World Cup trophy, in transparent case, to NFF President Pinnick.
Also at the event were the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Olusade Adesola, NFF 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi and Mr. Clem Ugorji, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca-Cola West Africa Business Unit.
Earlier, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung led a delegation that had a first view of the trophy inside the chartered aircraft.
There were also NFF President Amaju Pinnick; Senator Obinna Ogba (Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth and Sports); Hon. Bukar Goni Lawan (Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Youth and Sports); Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi (NFF 1st Vice President); Mr. Shehu Dikko (NFF 2nd Vice President) and; Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (NFF General Secretary).
The iconic trophy later made its way to the Presidential Villa in the evening.
