Pay Super Eagles early for good performance —President Weah

Newly inaugurated President of Liberia and former World Footballer of the Year, George Weah, has advised the federal government to ensure that Super Eagles are paid all their entitlements early to enable them to do well at next summer’s World Cup in Russia.

Speaking during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja on Monday, he said the Eagles needed to start early preparation devoid of distractions.

While noting that Nigeria was a model in football for other African countries, he said: “But I hope that they will prepare very early because they are going to represent Africa and we will be there to watch them, for them to bring the trophy for the first time if it is possible. “

He pointed out that not to pay players playing in the World Cup would only indicate lack of seriousness.

The former Chelsea and AC Milan star noted that Eagles qualification for the World Cup was not just a pride for Nigeria but all of Africa, saying that everything must, therefore, be done to help the Eagles to concentrate.

He added: “I want every African government to know, if you win World Cup, it is a pride to Africa, it is not just to Nigeria.

“So, we must do everything to ensure that the players are not stressed, make sure they concentrate, make sure their incentives are given to them to motivate them.

“Some of the things you see at the World Cup, you will see an entire team go to represent a whole country and you will hear that one minister took the money, they did not pay these players and the players are causing the problem.

“When players are going to camp, it is to relax and focus. And for them to be in camp, they must have everything there for them not to worry.

“Remember I played in the European setting. When we go camp, we have nothing to do. The only thing we have to do is to take a shower and prepare for the game, everything is laid down here and so you have no excuse.

“So, let the players not have an excuse, support them and let them go and bring back that cup.”