Rivers State Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has promised players of the U-23 National Team the sum of $100,000 (about N24 million) if they are able to defeat Congo’s U-23 side by three un-replied goals in Sunday’s African U-23 Championship final round, first leg qualifier at the Adokiye Amiesieamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

The Rivers State governor made this promise on Friday when he led some members of the State’s executive council to pay the team a morale -boosting visit, explaining that the sum of $30,000 would be paid for every goal.

Assuring the players of total support by the Government and people of Rivers State on Sunday, Governor Wike said they should not be afraid of anything and just go out there and play good football to do themselves and the nation proud.

“I am sure if you win on Sunday, the President of the Federal Republic (President Muhammadu Buhari), as well as the generality of Nigerians will be happy with you. The Government of Rivers State is hosting this game to tell the Nigeria Football Federation and the entire world that we have a great edifice like this in this State, so that that they can bring more matches of the National Teams to Rivers State.”

Rivers State’s number one man then promised the players and officials that his government will do everything to see that the team is comfortable.

Responding, Head Coach Samson Siasia assured the governor that Congo will definitely fall on Sunday, and also expressed satisfaction with the hospitality afforded the team since it arrived in Port Harcourt almost two weeks ago.

“We indeed appreciate Your Excellency, and we assure Nigerians that if the boys play to instructions on Sunday, there will be nothing to fear. We will score enough goals to make the second leg a formality.”