* Promises the team a trip to Spain;
* Splashes dollars on the victorious side
Governor Nyesom Wike, turns Rivers United into a fighting force
There is growing excitement within the ranks of the Rivers United who are looking forward to a pre-season tour of Spain, the Port Harcourt Telegraph reports.
A source close to clubside which won this year’s Nigerian Professional Premier League revealed to this publication under conditions of anonymity that the players and their handlers are in very high spirits.
“The mood here is electric. It is one of great excitement. The boys are leaving for Spain after the appreciation they got from the Governor.
“This is the kind of stuff that we read about established clubs in Europe. Rivers United are to have a taste of this kind of exposure as we prepare for the next footballing season.
“We have never had it this good. Everyone in the team is happy with our mentor who did everything to ensure that we got where we are now”, the source remarked.
Governor Wike lays his hands on the trophy
The proposed foreign tour of the Rivers United, the current league winners, is expected to last two weeks.
Governor Nyesom Wike, Africa’s Pillar of Sports disclosed his government’s plan while receiving the Nigerian champions at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Obviously thrilled by the performance of the side, Wike said members of the team will be sent to Madrid to sharpen their skills before the next football season opens.
Rewarding members of the team with the sum of $20 000 each, the Governor who has built a Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt said team members would earn additional $40,000 if they make it to the group stages as Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Championships.
Recall that the players and their officials were hosted Thursday, by the Rivers governor in Port Harcourt.
On that occasion, Wike lauded the ‘heroes of the Garden City’ for winning the NPFL and bringing honour to the State.
The Rivers side won the title for the first time after overcoming the challenge posed by Plateau United.
Chijoke Akuneto, the club’s talisman also emerged as the league’s top scorer, netting 19 goals.
No Nigerian club, according to completesports.com, has lifted the CAF Champions League since after 2003.
Enyimba won the competition back to back in 2002 and 2003.