Leadership (Abuja)
Ishaku Kigbu
28 November 2011
The Nigerian national U-23 team will tomorrow in Morocco confront their Senegalese counterpart in an encounter that may see them progress or crash out of the 8-Nation tournament that serves as the 2012 Olympics qualifier.
The Nigerian side known as the Dream Team V fell to the Moroccan U-23 side last Saturday 1-0 and must win tomorrow’s encounter to remain in contention for one of the three slots available to be at the Olympics.
Tomorrow’s clash promises to be a cracker since their opponent, Senegal, also lost by the same margin to Algeria, another North African side in the group. A win for any of the two West African sides will help position the team for a fight for a semi final place. But a loss for any of the teams will mean the dream for an Olympic showing is over.
Coach of the team, Austin Eguavoen yesterday said he is still confident of booking a place in the semi finals for an ultimate slot at the Olympics-world’s biggest sporting event. Stand-in captain of the Nigerian side, Kingsley Udoh also believes the team will bounce back against Senegal tomorrow. He however appeals to Nigerians to put the defeat against Morocco behind them promising that the Dream team V would put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
Udoh who lasted only three minutes on the pitch in the match against Morocco after landing awkwardly on his right foot from an aerial contest said: “The match was very painful and heartbreaking because we let Nigerians down. But we believe that since it’s the first game we lost, we can prepare for the second game against Senegal and cross the hurdles ahead. What I would be saying to Nigerians, is to keep praying for the team and my quick recovery and I am very sure we will not let them down against Senegal”
Team doctor, Sam Ogbondeminu said Kingsley Udoh has a 50-50 chance of playing in the game against Senegal. “We are still observing Udoh, but I can say he has a 50-50 chance of featuring in Tuesday’s game against Senegal” he said.
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