Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday, February 16, 2024, showered rewards on Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and Rivers Hoopers at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

The Governor commended the Rivers-born goalkeeper for his excellent outing with the Super Eagles, in the just concluded AFCON and showed his gratitude by gifting the shot-stopper with the sum of twenty million naira (N20M) and bestowed him with the honour of Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS).

The Chippa United shot-stopper kept four clean sheets at the tournament, which helped the Super Eagles reach the final where they were beaten 2-1 by hosts, Cote d’Ivoire. 

He also recognised the successes of the Rivers State Basketball team, Rivers Hoopers for finishing as Champions in the Nigeria Premier Basketball League, by gifting them the sum of fifty million naira  (N50M) and picking the ticket as Nigeria’s sole representative at the 2024 edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), where they have been drawn to play in the Sahara Conference.

Governor Fubara also donated the sum of N30 million to the team’s officials present at the reception, headed by coach Jose Pesiero and his assistant, Finidi George.

Finidi George, the Super Eagles assistant coach and native of Port Harcourt, was hailed by the governor for his invaluable contributions to Nigerian football.