Siasia: No automatic shirt for Rio Olympics

In from Nifemi Daniel . . .
Coach Samson Siasia has warned his players to brace up for more challenges ahead of this year’s Olympics billed for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil saying that no player is guaranteed a shirt in his squad.

The former Super Eagles’ manager has also disclosed that the African champions will commence preparations for the Rio Olympics in the first week of February.
Speaking from his base in the United States of America, where he is presently on vacation, Siasia stressed that few players will be invited to fortify the team that won the 2015 African U-23 Nations Cup in Senegal.

“Since we qualified for the football event of the Rio Olympics, a lot of players both at home and abroad have been calling me that they want to play for the country, so myself and my assistants intend to use the first week of camping to see these players who will bear the cost of their trip to the camp and accommodate themselves.

Read also: Oliseh, Akas target CHAN trophy

“Any of them selected will now be added to the players who made us proud in Senegal for a full camping. Mind you, no player is yet guaranteed a shirt in the team, as I have always said only the best legs will make it to Rio de Janeiro,” he added.

Siasia who led Nigeria to winning silver at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing said, “My next target is to go all out for gold in Rio,” while hoping to utilize all the FIFA windows available to watch the players at close range.

“For now my plans are to utilize fully all the FIFA windows beginning with the one in March, with the hope of taking players selected to an accessible country in Europe where all the overseas -based players can come with ease, play one or two friendly games and then have them return to their respective clubsides.”

The former Super Eagles’ captain added that for now, he has not made up his mind on the issue of which over -aged player(s) to take to the Olympics.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now