Calabar — Cross River State Government dolled out N10 million to the Super Eagles following last Sunday's performance. The team defeated Madagascar 2-0 in the ongoing African Nations Cup qualifier played at the U.J Esuene stadium in Calabar.

The deputy governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham, who made the donation on behalf of the governor, Senator Liyel Imoke Sunday night during a banquet organised for the team at the Peregrino lodge, Calabar, challenged the new team to step up their performance in order to regain the public confidence in them.

Mr. Cobham also called on the new board of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to brace up for a more responsibility of improving on the performance of the new team, regretting that 100 years after, Nigerian football is till in the doldrums saying that at the level of the Super Eagles, Nigerians must see all round improvement to justify their support for the team and for football in the country generally.

The deputy governor also remarked that although, the past has been replete with a chequered history and abysmal performances, the future is still bright with the zeal and commitment of all the stakeholders in the success of the round leather game especially the players.

"I see the ability to rise again' 'Cobham said, adding that Nigerians expect the rebranded team to bring victory and glory to them in all outings. Mr. Cobham, who also reminisced on the history of soccer in the country as having started in Calabar in 1911 at Hope Waddell Training Institution, assured that the state government will do all within its power to keep the flag of soccer flying by introducing new ideals that will project the game of football to new heights.

He said that the government is making efforts to ensure that Calabar remains the melting pot of soccer stars in the country as it started years back with some members of the then Eagles coming from the state. He donated N10million cash to the team on behalf of the government.