By John Egbokhan, Abuja
For battling to a 3-3 draw against Germany in their FIFA Under-17 World Cup Group A opener, members of the Golden Eaglets were given their full winning bonus of $500.

Disclosing this to Sports Vanguard, Chief Media Officer of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire, said that the President of the football ruling body, Sani Lulu, approved the payment of the full winning bonus because of the valiant and patriotic way that the Eaglets battled their way back from a three-goal deficit to eke a draw in one of the most sensational of all comebacks in the tournament’s recent history.

THANK GOD! Eaglets celebrating their draw against Germany in the opening game in Abuja Saturday. Behind them are the empty stands, a disgrace to Nigeria's football tradition. PHOTO: OLAMIKAN GBEMIGA

“The board of the NFF, led by President Sani Lulu, hasapproved the payment of the full winning bonus for the members of the Golden Eaglets.

We all saw the way they gave their all to get a draw against a determined German side and the NFF feel that they deserved to win the match”, said Olajire, who added that the NFF hope the incentive would boost the team to pull all the stunts to get victory in today’s second group encounter against Honduras at the Abuja National Stadium.

“We want to keep the fire of patriotism burning in these players and we hope that they would play with determination against Honduras”, said Olajire.