The Liberian President, George Weah, on Monday visited President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Both Presidents met behind closed doors at the Villa after which the Liberian President called for stronger ties between his country and Nigeria.
Former international football star George Weah, was sworn in as Liberia’s new president on January 22, 2018, in the country’s first transition between democratically-elected leaders since 1944.
Weah, 51, took over from Nobel laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who spent 12 years at the helm, steering the West African nation away from the trauma of a civil war.
Beyond seeking stronger trade ties with Nigeria, Weah urged the Super Eagles to get their preparation right for the World Cup and avoid wranglings.
Hailing the Super Eagles as “a model” for African teams to follow, the Liberian President said, “I have played with great Nigerian players, I played against them. Now you have a new generation, the fact that they qualified is a good thing for Nigeria,” he said.
“But I hope they’ll prepare very early because they’re going to represent Africa and we’ll be there to watch them, for them to bring the trophy for the first time if it’s possible.”
Weah, a global sporting superstar in the 1990s who remains Africa’s only Ballon d’Or winner, said recurring stories of unpaid fees and bonuses disrupted players.
It also gave them an excuse when they under-performed.
“So, let the players not have an excuse, support them and bring back the cup,” he added.
