Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has said that the speech made by the Chairman of Air Peace Airline, Allen Onyema, which bothered on unity inspired Nigeria to a 2-1 victory over the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde on Tuesday, in Mindelo, in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.
Musa made the submission in Lagos on the arrival of the Super Eagles saying that they were moved by the speech of Onyema before the trip, which equally propelled them to victory.
The Fatih Karagumruk of Turkey star equally commended Air Peace chief for fulfilling his promise of N20 million to the team after their victory over Cape Verde.
According to Musa, when the players were one goal down they remembered the unity speech and became more determined to win the game.
Musa who recorded his 98th cap with the game against Cape Verde revealed that he enjoyed flying the Air Peace brand new E195-E2 aircraft, as he thanked Onyema for his kind gesture towards the team.
Onyema, had before the trip urged the players to play for Nigeria’s unity as he reminded them that football was one key factor that brings Nigerians together, as during the game the citizens forget their differences, their tribe, their religion and identify with their country.
He also told the players that they had enormous responsibility, as fate has thrown on their young shoulders the burden of using their talents to rebuild that patriotic zeal that made Nigeria one.
“You are not only going to play football match, you are going to carry the aspirations and the hope of a nation that is almost in distress. Football is a unifying factor in our country. That is why we decided to key in to associate with you at this period in time because we want to restore hope to our nation,” Onyema had charged the players before the trip to Cape Verde,” he said.
Onyema while congratulating the players on the second win in the 2022 World Cup qualifying series campaign, charged them to maintain the tempo in subsequent games and qualify for the World Cup.
“We believe in your capabilities and have faith in you. I am happy that you fulfilled your promise to the nation, knowing that you carry the aspirations of Nigerians on your young shoulders. When you were one-zero down, everybody was panicking. Everybody was praying. And you responded like lions and won the match. There were celebrations all over the country- North, South, East and West,” Onyema said.
He stated that Air Peace believes in the team and will continue to support them to take Nigerian football to greater heights.