In spite of the failure of the national Under-23 team to get to the final of the football event of the All Africa Games (AAG) in Congo Brazzaville, the team has been tipped to do well and qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
Former national Under-20 team, the Flying Eagles, goalkeeper John Felagha expressed confidence in the team, even as the team has been pitched in Group B of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations alongside Egypt, Algeria and Mali, considered as ‘Group of Death’.
The championship billed to run from November 28 to December 12, 2015 in Senegal, is the qualifying tournament for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
In a chat with our correspondent at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos last Tuesday, Felagha, who was in the country for the just concluded Ninth edition of the Aspire Football Dreams (AFD), said there is no cause for alarm over the teams drawn against Nigeria.
He said: “I’m very impressed with the team right from the onset when coach Samson Siasia was appointed to handle the team. I watched them played a couple of matches and I concluded that this is a good side.
“All I can wish them is good luck in the quest for the Olympic ticket and the Olympic Games proper. I don’t see Egypt, Algeria and Mali as a threat to the team.
“I believe in the players and the coaching crew under the tutelage of Siasia and I want to say that they will not disappoint but then, we all must pray for the team success because prayer is very important in all we do.
Felagha is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He played for Nigeria U-17 and the U-20. He plays for the Belgian KAS Eupen after he came over to the ASPIRE Academy where he was educated.
Meanwhile, the Dream Team is expected to play their first match of the championship against Mali on November 29 at the 5000-seater Caroline Faye Stadium, Mbour and play the second match against Egypt on December 2 before the last group match against Algeria on December 5 at the same venue.
In Group A are hosts Senegal, South Africa, Zambia and Tunisia.
The top three teams from the championship will qualify to represent Africa at Rio 2016.
The opening game will take place between Senegal and South Africa on November 28 at the Leopold Senghor Stadium.