There are strong indications that the Head Coach of the Under-23 national team, Samson Siasia, is seriously under pressure to deliver the Olympics ticket to the country after the team’s slim 2-1 victory over its Congo counterparts last Sunday.
A close source to the team revealed that the former Super Eagles coach is doing everything possible to ensure that the team wins the return leg next Sunday in Congo.
“Siasia is seriously under pressure and afraid of not qualifying the team for the Rio 2016 Olympics. This also prompted him to invite some new players to the team, to beef it up and ensure that the team wins the return leg and pick the Olympics ticket,” said our source.
Since the 2-1 victory in the first leg of the last stage of the qualifier, Siasia, his players as well as officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have been having sleepless nights on how to ensure that they scale through to the Olympics.
Last Wednesday, Siasia invited five more players to the team’s camp ahead of the return leg in Congo.
According to Siasia, the invited players will add bite to the team’s attack and solidify the defence as the team intensifies preparations for the potentially-explosive return leg in Pointe Noire on Sunday, August 2.
The invited players are foreign-based Aminu Umar and Abdullahi Shehu. Others are Semiu Liadi of Warri Wolves FC, Ndifreke Effiong of Abia Warriors, and Flying Eagles’ midfielder, Kingsley Sokari.
The home-based professionals are expected to report to camp immediately, while those based overseas were expected to be in camp yesterday (Saturday).
Siasia said: “We are aware of what odds will be set against us by the home team when we go to Congo. There are no illusions. But we are up to the task. We are going there strictly for the business of 90 minutes, and that is what will matter.
“Without being immodest, I like to say that I have been in this situation several times with various national teams. I have always come out victorious. Of course, we will need the maximum support of the NFF to succeed.”
In a related development, Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, has expressed optimism that the team will qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He said: “I can tell you that the coach is very confident. He is not under-rating the opposition; just that he believes in his team to make progress despite expected tough game away from home.”
Siasia and his players need just a draw to qualify and afford a defeat in the hands of the Congolese.