The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has challenged the various local football leagues to produce more heroes and stars in the mould of Super Eagles' Cup of Nations stars Sunday Mba and Godfrey Oboabona.

NFF President, Aminu Maigari made the call while declaring open the Nigeria Nation-Wide League Congress in Abuja.

"The Leagues have the responsibility to work even harder now to produce heroes for Nigeria football, following the excellent performance of some home boys at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. "Surely, the reward for our success in South Africa will be more work on the part of all of us, the NFF, the State FAs, the Leagues and our various Clubs.

"In football, you are as good as your last result. Today, we are the champions of Africa. To maintain that status, we need to work even harder than we have ever done previously. Staying at the top is a lot more difficult than getting there. But be assured that the NFF will always give the necessary support," said Maigari. Similarly, Minister of Sports Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi urged the NNWL to form a junior version of the league to help in the process of grassroots football development in the country.