President of world football-governing body, FIFA, Mr. Joseph Sepp Blatter has congratulated the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari on the success of the Super Eagles at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.

In a letter dated February 14 and addressed directly to Maigari, Mr. Blatter eulogized the NFF President and wrote, inter alia: “Allow me to offer you my warmest congratulations on Nigeria’s triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations last Sunday- your third title overall and your first for nearly 20 years. It is great to see the Super Eagles back as one of Africa’s strongest footballing nations.

 “Please convey my warmest wishes to all of the players, the technical and medical staff, and in particular to Stephen Keshi, only the second man to lift the trophy as both captain and national team coach. Stephen is a great example to other African associations of what they can achieve through long-term planning and employing local coaches, and I commend your appointment. I would also like to extend special greetings and thanks to the Nigeria fans present at the final, whose support not only willed their team on to victory but also lit up the match as a spectacle.”

Similarly, President of the Spanish Football Federation Angel Maria Villar Llona, in a letter dated February, congratulated Alhaji Maigari and the NFF for the triumph, saying: “The Super Eagles are back and all the football supporters are happy for that. Please forward also the congratulations of the Spanish football to the players, technical staff and all the people involved with your national team in this wonderful victory.”

Both Messrs Blatter and Villar Llona are looking forward to seeing the Super Eagles at the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil in June.

African champions Nigeria play Oceania champions Tahiti, South American overlords Uruguay and World and European champions Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup starting in Brazil on 15 June.