As the national Under-23 team, the Dream Team VI, sets to host its Gabonese counterpart in the second leg of their All Africa Games (AAG) qualifier, chief coach of the team, Samson Siasia, has predicted a bright future for the country’s football.
Siasia’s boys bashed their opponents 4-1 in the first leg played in Libreville on Saturday, February 21, with the second leg billed for the National Stadium, Abuja, on Saturday, March 7.
Junior Ajayi scored two of the goals, while Oghenekaro Etebo and Peter Onyekachi completed the routing of the Gabonese.
He said: “With what I saw of the players in the first leg of the match in Libreville, I have no doubt in my mind that there is a bright future for Nigerian football.
“Putting in mind that this team has been together for barely three months before the first leg, Nigerians should appreciate what they’ve done.
“The players really impressed and they played as a team, meaning that all the hard work we put them through this past three months was not in vain.”
The former Super Eagles head coach was, however, quick to add that there is still work to be done before the team becomes a perfect one.
“It is still work in progress, as I am still trying to get the right players for the right position. However, Nigerians should rally round the team with support and encouragement, so that we can deliver.”
Meanwhile, the team has been pitched against Zambia, if it scales through the Gabonese on March 7.
The winner between Nigeria and Gabon was billed to play the winner between Zambia and Madagascar. But following the withdrawal of Madagascar from the race, Zambia received an automatic final round ticket to face Nigeria.
The first leg of the final round fixture will take place in Nigeria only two weeks after the return leg with the Gabonese.
Already, Zimbabwe, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso have also reached the final round of qualifiers following the withdrawal of Swaziland, Tunisia, Guinea Bissau and Libya.
