THE Super Eagles have been ordered to win next year’s Africa Cup of Nations even if it means that coach Stephen Keshi is fired to achieve this.

Sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi put down the ultimatum. He is under fire after a disastrous showing by the country at the recently-ended Olympics in London, where Nigeria failed to win a single medal.

It was gathered that Abdullahi invited top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday and read the riot act, insisting that everything be done for the Eagles to win at South Africa 2013 even if it means sacking the current coach Stephen Keshi would guarantee this success.

“The Minister ordered that everything be done to make sure Nigeria are champions at the next AFCON in South Africa,” a top source said

“He went as far as saying that if they need to do away with the present coach of the team to ensure this, then they should go ahead and do so.”

The source added: “It was a very serious meeting and the minister was very clear and direct about what he expects from the NFF.”

The country’s President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed huge disappointment with the country’s performance at the London Olympics and demanded for drastic changes in the sports ministry.

Nigeria last won the Nations Cup 18 years ago and they face Liberia in a final eliminator for a place at next year’s tournament beginning on September 8 in Monrovia.

The Eagles, African champions in 1980 and 1994, failed to qualify for the 2012 AFCON in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea leading to the dismissal of coach Samson Siasia.

maclatunji: If it is true that the minister made these comments,[b]He[/b]should be sacked. He should be fired because he wants to coerce success (which is not pratical} instead of planning and implementing a programme that will lead to it.

HNosegbe:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/08/minister-orders-eagles-to-win-2013-afcon/

HNosegbe:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/08/minister-orders-eagles-to-win-2013-afcon/

Bolaji Abdulahi, Nigerian Sports Minister is a "NASTY FART". A serious country starts training years before the next AFCON competition. Where are the Super Eagles on this, and those SLOW football administrators in the glass-house? Mr Minister, i "ORDER U" to sit the hell down!