The national Under-23 team can have a major impact on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil but the Nigeria Football Federation must listen to Samson Siasia, according to former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu.
Nigeria will be representing Africa in the 16-team Rio 2016 men’s football tournament alongside South Africa and Algeria. The competition will take place between August 3 and 20, and Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games gold medallists Nigeria are favourites to challenge for the title (gold).
Mexico shocked Brazil 2-1 in final of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium to win gold for the first time.
And former Nigeria goalkeeping coach Shorunmu believes the national Under-23 team could become genuine title contenders in Rio with support from the NFF for Siasia’s men.
“I heard from Siasia about three days ago that he would like to camp the team in Brazil before the Olympics for maximum concentration.If the federation can listen to him, it will no doubt impact positively on the team’s performance,” the former Turkey-based keeper was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria as saying on Thursday.
“We want our players to perform well and as such all hands must be on deck to achieve the task at the Olympic Games.”
Rising Arsenal star Alex Iwobi tops the list of the players Siasia intends to take to Brazil for the Olympics.
The Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner, who doubles as the Super Eagles caretaker coach, is believed to have also penciled in Watford scoring sensation Odion Ighalo, Granada attacker Isaac Success and CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa for the competition.
Siasia guided Nigeria to a silver medal finish at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, behind Lionel Messi propelled Argentina. Angel Di Maria hit the back of the net in the 58th minute to help the South Americans pick up their second straight Olympic gold. Carlos Tevez scored in the 18th minute against Paraguay to win gold for Argentina at Athens 2004 Olympics.
Meanwhile, Brazilian police on Thursday arrested 10 members of a black-market ring who tried to scalp tickets for the Rio Olympics, even before the actual tickets are issued.
According to euronews, Rio de Janeiro police earlier said the suspects were involved in a scam to resell over 700 legitimately acquired ticket vouchers – soon to be exchanged for the actual tickets – at many times their face value.
