The National U17 Male football team, has received a N10 million cash gift from the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio.

The gift was in fulfillment of the Governor's pledge to the team some months ago.

According to Ademola Olajire, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)'s Media Officer, the Governor made the pledge when he met the team at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja early September, on its way to a 2013 African U-17 Championship qualifying match against Niger in Niamey.

'"You mean these boys are the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria? They are so young. Surely, this is the youngest set of Golden Eaglets I have seen in the history of Nigeria football,"' he quoted Governor Akpabio as saying at the Abuja airport that day.

NFF responds

The President of NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari heaped praises on the Governor after receiving the cash gift. "We are very appreciative of this gesture by Governor Akpabio."

He continued: "He has always been a man of his words. This also underscores the fact that he is a true sports lover."

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu said the gesture was a huge boost to the team which departs Nigeria on Wednesday for a crucial continental championship qualifier in Bamako, slated for Sunday.

Two goals from defender Wilfred Ndidi and midfielder Alhassan Ibrahim steered the Eaglets to a 2-0 victory over the Malians in the first leg in Calabar penultimate weekend.

The winner on aggregate will qualify for next year's African U-17 Championship in Morocco.