President Goodluck Jonathan gives cash reward to under-17 World Cup winners

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday announced cash rewards to the victorious Golden Eaglets and their handlers for winning the Under-17 World Cup.

The Nigerian team beat Mexico 3-0 on Friday in Abu Dhabi to emerge as winners for a record fourth time.

Jonathan doled out two million naira (12,400 dollars) for each of the players, three million naira and 2.5 million naira for the head coach and his assistant.

Other officials got between 300,000 and 500,000 naira each.

"You won fairly and convincingly and we are very proud of you," Jonathan told the team at a reception in Abuja.

"This victory is for the whole of Africa and the beginning of a new era in the revival of the nation's competitive spirit," he said.

"Within just seven months, the team has transformed themselves from being second best in Africa to being the best in the world," he added.

AFP