The Nigeria Football Association, NFA has decided to motivate the national U-20 team, Flying Eagles, ahead of their must-win Group B match against Gambia today at the African Youth Championship in South Africa.

At an afternoon meeting with a couple of NFF Executive Committee members and Management Staff in Johannesburg on Friday, NFF President Aminu Maigari approved that the players should be paid the sum of $2,000 each if they are able to fly above the Gambians on Sunday – a feat that would automatically earn them a semi final ticket here and a berth at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Colombia later this year.

“The players will get the sum of $2,000 each for a win, which is a 100 per cent increase on their regular bonus. We believe this should motivate them maximally to go for the three points”, said Maigari.

Head Coach, Sam John Obuh who was invited for another meeting on the preparedness of his squad to give Nigeria a happy Easter celebration, said his team was technically, tactically and psychologically prepared to overpower the Gambians, who stunned reigning world champions Ghana to earn a 1-1 draw on Thursday.

“Everyone felt bad about the loss to Cameroon, but we have put that behind us and we’re all working hard towards achieving victory in Sunday’s match”, Obuh stated. The match against the Gambians will be played at the Millpark Stadium, in the centre of Johannesburg.

Meanwhile team’s Head Coach, Sam John Obuh has assured Nigerians that his boys would go all out for the three points when they take on Gambia at the Millpark Stadium.

“Everything would be done to see that we win the match. Myself and my assistants are working on the players. They were downcast after the loss to Cameroon but we have been able to get them to pick up their morale from the floor and focus on the task at hand.

“They cannot go on crying over the loss for long because there is a bigger challenge in front. We need a win to get to the semi finals and earn a berth at the World Cup.

“Personally, I want to take charge of a team at a second FIFA World Cup final. I would be very happy if we can qualify for Colombia”, said Obuh, who led the U-17 team to silver medal at the FIFA U-17 World Cup that Nigeria hosted in 2009.