Pastor claims he and his 'prayer warriors' can help Nigeria win at World Cup if followers give him $2,000

Tommy Yisa Aika believes he is in a position to help the African side in Russia, but only if he gets some money

epa06828079 Nigeria players William Troost-Ekong (2nd-R) and Elderson Echiejile (C) in action during Nigeria official training session at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, Russia, 21 June 2018. Nigeria will face Iceland  in their first preliminary round Group D match at the FIFA World Cup 2018.  EPA/SERGEI ILNITSKY
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A pastor in Nigeria has urged his followers to pay him more than US$2,000 (Dh7,300) to unleash a squadron of "prayer warriors" to help the country's footballers secure a World Cup win.

Earlier this week, self-styled prophet Tommy Yisa Aika said that Nigeria lost their opening match to Croatia because God was punishing them for hiring a white coach, Gernot Rohr.

But he now says Nigeria can salvage the situation and become the first African team to win the tournament - as long as fans give him 750,000 naira.

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"What I need is a token 750,000 (naira) to get some spiritual materials and also to give my prayer warriors as honorarium," he said in a television interview, the Daily Post reported.

Aika said his crack congregation was on standby and ready for action, "so that what has been destroyed can be readjusted to grant the Super Eagles divine favour all through the tournament".

Nigeria play Iceland on Friday at 7pm in their second Group D game.