Billionaire Dangote to give Sh5 million for each scored by Nigeria in AFCON semis

Dangote (inset) and the Nigerian team.

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote on Thursday promised to give the Nigerian national team Sh5 million for each goal scored in their much-awaited AFCON semifinal against the Desert Foxes of Algeria.

Nigeria is in the hunt for their first AFCON trophy since 2013 and is expected to fight for the right to this year’s final in Cairo, Egypt.

The match is scheduled to be played on Sunday 14 July at the 75,000 seater Cairo International Stadium.

The Eagles beat stubborn South Africa 2-1 in Wednesday’s quarterfinal match which saw Bafana Bafana threaten to push the game into extra time before William Troost-Ekong saved Nigeria with a late winner.

Another businessman Femi Otedola also promised Sh2.5 million which is a half of what Dangote tabled.

It will now be down to the Super Eagles to do their country proud on Sunday by scoring many goals which will amount to a handsome windfall as confirmed by the President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick.

“Aliko has told me that for every goal you score, you score 10 goals and you get $500,000, you score one you get $50,000.

“Femi Otedola too. I called him and he said $25,000 for every goal scored.

“So, whether reply or no reply, you just keep scoring and that’s what you will do.

“And there is going to be more and more coming, that I can tell you for free,” said Pinnick in a meeting with the team.