Taiwo Adelu
Coach of Nigeria’s U-23 Dream Team, Samson Siasia has warned his team not to allow mistakes that made Mali score two quick goals in their first match of the ongoing U-23 Africa Cup of Nations to repeat themselves when they confront Egypt in their second group game Wednesday night.
While Nigeria won 3-2 against Mali in their first group game, Egypt played a 1-1 draw with Tunisia. Both teams clash by 7pm Nigerian time at M’Bour, Senegal..
Siasia warned that victory over Egypt is non negotiable if Nigeria want to brighten their chances of playing in the football event of next year’s Rio Olympic Games.
“We should not make too many mistakes as we did against Mali in our first match on Sunday. We have a big chance to make our corrections this time, and I must confess, it will be a pretty joke if we want to be at the Olympics not to win this match against Egypt,” said Siasia.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has reiterated its determination to leave nothing to chance for Siasia and his team to pick one of the Olympic tickets.
Secretary General of the federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said that the NFF will give the Dream Team VI all support to succeed at the Senegal 2015 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
“We will do all things possible for us to pick one of the three African tickets available in this tournament. It won’t be good for us to play fourth and be saddled with big task of making Olympics through the rigours of FIFA playoffs. We were not at the last Olympic Games, but this time we will be there,” Sanusi said of what the NFF wants from Siasia and his Dream Team.
President General of Nigerian Football and other Sports Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo said his members will be on ground in M’Bour, Senegal Wednesday to cheer the Dream Team to victory against Egypt. He disclosed all arrangements have been concluded to see that the supporters club members sing and dance to give the team desired support in the remaining matches of the Nations Cup