Nigeria Under23 team will begin their quest towards flying the country’s flag at the 2016 Rio Olympic football event in Senegal on Saturday.
With just three slots up for grabs, the Dream Team VI will hope to overcome North African duo, Algeria and Egypt, as well as West African neighbours, Mali, in Group B at the Under-23 African Cup of Nations which runs from November 28 to 12th December.
Group A consist of host, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia and Tunisia.
The Eagles will be featuring at this tournament for the second successive time after failing to progress to the 2012 London Olympics.
Coach Samson Siasia, who incidentally led the team to Silver in 2008 – faces an uphill task to replicate or even surpass that feat.
First the former international must cope without some of his regulars, who pulled out due to club engagements.
The tactician made 12 emergency invitations to his team due to these absentees – notably was FIFA U17 top scorer, Victor Osimhen.
Secondly, Siasia is fighting hard not to be distracted by the kidnap of his mother, Madam Ogere Siasia, who is still unaccounted for, two weeks after she was taken in Bayelsa State.
“The coach is under stress following the kidnap of his mother,” team media officer, Timi Ebikagboro confirmed.
“But he is not allowing it to distract him. He is rallying round the boys for a good outing on Sunday against Mali.”
He added: “Spirit in camp is high, nobody wants to lose the first game, they see qualifying for Rio 2016 as a must.”
Nigerians expect Siasia to produce result when his team tackle Mali in their tournament opener, Sunday, at the Caroline Faye Stadium, Mbour, Senegal.
