Nigeria Tackle Morroco today in Olympics Games

Nigeria Tackle Morocco In Olympic Games

 

            Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles begin their chase for the ticket to play in the football event of the 2012 Olympic Games when they take on their Moroccan counterparts in the opening game of the inaugural CAF U-23 Championship today at the Tangiers Stadium, starting from 5.30pm Morocco time (6.30pm Nigeria time).


The Dream Team V as the Nigerian team are fondly called are the hope of the nation to feature in any serious football tournament next year after the Super Eagles failed to secure the Nations Cup ticket under Samson Siasia and the Super Falcons under Coach Uche  Eucharia failed in their bid to secure the ticket to play in the women football event of the 2012 Olympics.





Though coach of the U-23 side, Austin Eguavoen, admitted that he and his team are not under pressure to deliver the ticket, there is no doubt that Nigerians won’t accept any excuse if the team fail in the quest to bring the ticket home.

Eguavoen said that his boys are in high spirits to start the campaign in the qualifying playoffs on a bright note by beating Morocco in today’s encounter.
“We must start well because the opening game in any competition is very important,” Eguavoen charged his team. “The boys are in high spirits and we are building more confidence into them for them to be ready for the battle ahead. The target is a top-three finish to begin with, but we will take it a step at a time.”

Goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai said the team have watched the Moroccans on tape and they are not fantastic.
“I have watched the tapes of the Moroccan side and I don’t see anything fantastic about the team. If we can play out our hearts on Saturday, we will come out victorious,” said Afelokhai, whose  ensured that Kano Pillars reached the last four of the CAF Champions League two years ago.

Skipper Obiora Nwankwo has equally expressed confidence of victory on Saturday.
“We will be banking on the prayers of all Nigerians so that we could come out victorious. On our part, we are going to do our best,” promised the Parma of Italy defensive midfielder.

“We just have to keep our heads up, play to the referee’s whistle, and take our minds away from the crowd. We just have to work for the victory”, added defender Terna  Suswan, who was in the team that reached the last eight at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia in July.

Nigeria will also play Senegal and Algeria in their Group A pool.
They take on Senegal also in Tangiers on Tuesday, 29 November 29 before shifting base to Marrakech, where they will take on Algeria on Friday, 2 December.