Julius OkorieVictorious Super Eagles’ squad who clinched the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa, are still waiting for the $1 million largesse promised them by Africa richest man, Aliko Dangote, even as his fortune hits $23.9 billion according to latest Forbes report
For the 14th consecutive year, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man and the richest Black person in the world, has claimed the top spot on Forbes’ list of Africa’s billionaires.
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The latest report by Forbes indicate that Dangote’s fortune has soared to new heights, nearly doubling in the past year thanks to the launch of the Dangote Refinery—Africa’s largest oil and gas facility. Dangote it would be recalled revealed he had to dump the idea of buying English Premier League side Arsenal to invest heavily in the Dangote Refinery.
READ ALSO:Aliko Dangote: How Desire For Functional Refinery Crashed Buying Arsenal
Despite the rising fortune however the business mogul is yet to fulfill the promise he made to the then Mikel Obi Captained Super Eagles and Stephen Keshi led team that clinched the Nations Cup in 2013 where they defeated Burkina Faso by a lone goal in the final at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg before 85,000 spectators
Dangote, now ranked the 83rd-richest person globally, has virtually a finger in every pie of business, ranging from oil and gas, cement manufacturing, Sugar among other areas.
Dangote, apparently happy with the performance of the Nigerian team at the 2013 edition of AFCON, promised the team $1 million (about N1.5 billion) as per today’s exchange rate. Dangote is however not alone in the league of those who made promise following the team’s victory. Banker and business mogul Tony Elumelu, also pledged $500,000 to the same victorious squad but has yet to deliver.
The unfulfilled promise close to a decade after it was made has got some football fans talking with some describing it as a habit copied from politicians.
“This shows that Nigeria’s problem of failed promises is deep rooted. Politicians, capitalists and common people have the same traits of lack of integrity,” one X user said. Another added, “One of the reasons I don’t blame any player that refuses to play for the country as well as those who shy away from giving their 100%.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles right back, Tyronne Ebuehi, returned to competitive football for the first time since over year on Sunday stepping into action for 25 minutes action in Empoli’s goalless draw at home to Cagliari.
Ebuehi it will be recalled sustained a season-ending ACL knee injury on March 16th last year in a training session just a day after a substitute appearance for his Italian club in a 1-0 home loss to Bologna on March 15th, 2024.
Although Ebuehi’s return to action is good news, Empoli continues to perform below par as they are currently 18th on the log with 24 points from 31 games. Super Eagles duo of Joseph Aribo and Paul Onuachu who ply their trade with Premier League side Southampton have already been relegated with seven games left to the end of the season.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
