Nigeria Under-23 coach Samson Siasia has spoken about the expectations of Nigerian fans ahead of the Olympics in Rio, admitting that they will not be happy with anything other than the gold medal in Brazil.
The Dream Team VI is set to take part in the Olympic Men’s Football Tournament in August, and the coach is aware that supporters of the national team will not accept anything short of excellence, as previous experiences at the games have yielded positive results.
Eight years ago in Beijing it was Siasia won coached the Nigerian selection that reached the final at the Olympics before falling to Argentina, therefore earning the silver medal.
In 1996 Nigeria became the first African team to win Olympic gold in the men’s football tournament.
Such successful experiences have added pressure and expectation to the Dream Team VI.
Siasia has spoken about the tough task that lies ahead, and his understanding that his countrymen are awaiting a place on the podium for his boys.
“It is not going to be a walk in the park (to win Olympic Gold). It is going to be a very difficult task. But the thing is that anything short of Olympic gold is nothing because nobody will even come and welcome us when we come back without the gold,” Siasia said, according to AfricanFootball.
“So, it is a difficult one. But we will do the best that we can. We will know exactly how we are playing and what will come out from the players we have,” he added.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside Sweden, Colombia and Japan for the Rio Olympic men’s football tournament.
A number of European-based players have been denied the chance to feature in the Nigerian Olympic team by their club sides, as the August tournament clashes with European pre-season and the beginning of league matches in numerous countries.
Top players including Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Watford’s Odion Ighalo have not received permission from their English Premier League clubs, and as such they will likely not be present in Brazil.
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is confirmed within the squad as one of the over-age players, according to DailyPost, as three are allowed per Olympic team.
