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Tag: Dream Team VI

  • Olympics: Mikel, Ighalo, Iwobi in Nigeria provisional squad

    Olympics: Mikel, Ighalo, Iwobi in Nigeria provisional squad

    Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel and Watford striker Odion Ighalo have been named in the 35-man Nigeria Olympic squad put together by Samson Siasia.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released the list submitted by Siasia ending speculation about the identity of the over-23 players in the team as allowed by FIFA.

    Defender Godfrey Oboabona and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi are the other over-age players that will compete for three slots in the team, Goal reports.

    Despite the ongoing speculation on their availability for the Games, Manchester City and Arsenal starlets Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi were also included in the squad.

    The full list:

     

    Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa FC, South Africa), Yusuf Bala (Kano Pillars), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers), Taiwo Abdulrahman (Kwara United), Ndubuisi Agu (FC Porto, Portugal), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal), Taiwo Awoniyi (Frankfurt FC, Germany), Okechukwu Azubuike (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Etor Daniel (Enyimba FC), Augustine Dimgba (Sunshine Stars), William Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway), Saturday Erimuya (Kayseri Erciyespor, Turkey), Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense FC, Portugal), Imoh Ezekiel (Anderlecht, Belgium), Saviour Godwin (Ostende, Belgium), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Emiloju Julius (MFM FC), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Usman Muhammed (CF Uniao, Portugal), Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium), Erhun Obanor (MFM FC), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England), Sodiq Saliu (Seraing FC, Belgium), Abdullahi Shehu (CF Uniao, Portugal), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Seth Sincere (Rhapsody FC), Ndifreke Udo (Abia Warriors), Aminu Umar (Osmalispor, Turkey), Sadiq Umar (AS Roma, Italy).

  • Siasia drops Osimhen from Olympics squad

    Siasia drops Osimhen from Olympics squad

    Nigeria U-20 striker, Victor Osimhen, has been left out of a 35-man Olympics provisional squad submitted by Samson Siasia.

    “Osimhen is not on the provisional list,” an official told africanFootball.com.

    Osimhen, who was the goal king at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile,  was a last-minute replacement for Granada CF striker, Isaac Success, at last year’s African U-23 championship in Senegal.

    He also featured in March friendly against Olympics hosts Brazil.

  • It’s a privilege to play at Olympics – Akpeyi

    It’s a privilege to play at Olympics – Akpeyi

    South Africa-based goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has said it is a great privilege to feature at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as one of the over-aged players for Nigeria.

    Akpeyi was a late inclusion to the Dream Team VI Olympics’ provisional list and while the goalkeeper has admitted only the coach will determine who goes to the Games, he is thankful for the opportunity.

    “I must say that the main list is not out and only the coach knows that. But I am honoured to be counted among the over-aged players that the coach thinks can help the team,” he told africanFootball.com

    “It is a great privilege but it doesn’t give me the automatic shirt in the team.”

    The 29-year-old shot stopper was at the United States Embassy in Abuja on Thursday with other members of the team to apply for visas as they prepare for the training camp in the U.S ahead of the Olympic Games.

     

  • Olympics: Akpeyi in Dream Team VI provisional squad

    Olympics: Akpeyi in Dream Team VI provisional squad

    South Africa-based, Daniel Akpeyi will be in the Nigeria squad to the 2016 Olympic Games soccer event  as one of the over-aged players and has been tipped to upstage Emmanuel Daniel as Dream Team VI first choice goalkeeper at the Games.

    Akpeyi, who plays for Chippa United in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, is a late inclusion in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the Olympics, africanFootball.com reports.

    The 29-year-old was initially not in contention for a place in the squad, as Nigeria U-23 coach, Samson Siasia, had listed only outfield players as possible over-aged players for the Games, but later had a change of mind.

    “Dan (Akpeyi) was not on the list before, but coach (Siasia) realises he needs an experienced goalkeeper in the squad especially after the Korea tournament,” a source in the team told africanFootball.com.

    “He  is not new to coach and that’s why he has been selected and I can tell you that he will make the team except any last minute change of events.”

     

  • Dream Team VI for Korea tourney

    Dream Team VI for Korea tourney

    Olympic Team coach, Samson Siasia has said his team will feature at next month’s invitational tournament in Korea, which will feature another 2016 Olympics qualifier Honduras.

    The Dream Team VI opted out of the Toulon Football Festival slated for next month because the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) cannot come up with the 80,000 Euros required for the tournament.

    “We hope to now feature at an invitational tournament in Korea at the end of next month. Honduras and hosts Korea will feature in the competition,” Siasia told africanFootball.com

    Nigeria will play in Group B at the Olympics alongside Sweden, Japan and Colombia.

     

  • Dream Team VI stars to report in Brazil

    Dream Team VI stars to report in Brazil

    The Nigeria foreign professionals named for two friendlies against the Brazil Olympic team are to fly directly from their various bases to Brazil.

    The players have been ordered to report in Brazil not later than March 20.

    Last Friday, Nigeria named a 30-man squad that included 21 overseas-based pros for the matches in Cariacica city, Vitoria.

    The pros include Taiwo Awoniyi, Etebo Oghenekaro, Musa Mohammed, Umar Aminu, Stanley Amuzie, Dele Alampasu and Azubuike Okechukwu.

    Assistant coach, Fatai Amoo will take temporary charge of Dream Team VI, as the Nigeria Olympic team are known, after coach Samson Siasia was elevated as caretaker coach of the Super Eagles last week.

    The first match is scheduled for March 24 with a second game four days later.

    Both countries are preparing for the summer Olympics to be staged by the city of Rio in Brazil.

    Nigeria won the 1996 Olympic soccer Gold and were beaten finalists in Beijing 2008, while Brazil are yet to win this event. The draw for the tournament will be conducted in Rio on April 14.

     

  • Siasia invites 30 for Brazil friendly

    Siasia invites 30 for Brazil friendly

    Dream Team VI coach, Samson Siasia, has invited 30 players for the upcoming friendly against Brazil next month, with 21 foreign-based professionals making the list.

    Those invited are – Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Barcelona fullback Godswill Ekpolo, CD Feirense pair of Etebo Oghenekaro and Dele Alampasu, and CS Sfaxien star, Junior Ajayi, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

    KAA Gent new recruit, Peter Olayinka, who is undergoing rehabilitation after damaging his ligament, was named to the roster announced on Friday afternoon.

    Former Torino starlet, Sergio Uyi, is in line to make his international debut having made the list.

    Nine home-based players led by Emmanuel Daniel, Erhun Obanor and Sincere Seth have been invited for the get-together.

    Home Based:

    Emmanuel Daniel, Yusuf Mohammed, Segun Oduduwa, Erhun Obanor, Sincere Seth, Ndifreke Effiong, Ubong Ekpai, Bright Onyedikachi and Stanley Dimgba.

     

    Foreign Based:

    Dele Alampasu, Stanley Amuzie, Usman Mohammed, Azubuike Okechukwu, Sadiq Popoola, Etebo Oghenekaro, Saviour Godwin, Aminu Umar, Alex Iwobi, Iyayi Believe, Junior Ajayi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Peter Olayinka, Theophilus ‎ Solomon, Godswill Ekpolo, Sergio Uyi, Ovbokha Agboyi, Nathan Oduwa, Musa Mohammed and Saturday Ekiego.

  • 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES: Dream Team VI to face Brazil

    2016 OLYMPIC GAMES: Dream Team VI to face Brazil

    •International friendly game holds in March
    •Venue undecided but not in Nigeria

    Nigeria’s U-23 side to the 2016 Olympic Games, Dream Team VI are billed to face their Brazilian counterparts in an international friendly match fixed for a yet-to-be-mentioned date in March.

    Sportinglife scooped from those who should know at the Glasshouse in Abuja on Sunday night that their agents have agreed terms with the Brazil Football Federation’s chiefs for the game in March pointing out that: “As I speak with you, the specific date in March has not been decided. The venue also is an issue but the game will not hold in Nigeria.”

    What is clear is the the NFF are determined to give coach Samson Siasia the logicistic support to achieve the collective deam of Nigerians, which is to win the gold medal in the football event at the Rio’2016 Olympic Games, like we did in 1996 in Georgia, Atlanta, where the Nwankwo Kanu-led squad won the gold medal by beating Argentina 3-2 in the final game,” the NFF bigwig said.

    Asked if the federation chief were considering the new virus, Zika which is prevalent in Brazil in accepting to play the friendly in Brazil for instance, the NFF chief said: “Our agent is certainly not acting alone in arranging the game anywhere. If he comes up with Brazil as the venue for this friendly game in March, for instance, we will do all our checks to find out if it is safe to play the game in Brazil. When we get to that hurdle, we will surely scale it.”

  • Brazil friendly good for Dream Team VI, says Olulayo

    Brazil friendly good for Dream Team VI, says Olulayo

    Nigeria U-23 defender, Seun Olulayo has said that the upcoming friendly with Brazil will be a good test of character as they begin preparations for the 2016 Olympics games billed for Rio.

    The Dream Team VI are billed to face Rogério Micale’s side in either Nigeria or Brazil on March 24.

    Olulayo said that he is looking forward to the game against the Olympics hosts, and that the game will give his teammates a sign of what to expect when the competition begins.

    “Playing against Brazil will be a good test for us, especially in terms of physical power,” Olulayo told Goal.

    “Kudos must be given to the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) and coach Samson Siasia for plotting this game. We have to be positive. Playing against one of the best team in the world will be a good experience.

    “I have been training very hard  daily and can’t wait for the camp to open soon. I have spoken to some of my teammates on this game and we’re expecting a much more difficult game which is different from the African U-23 tournament.

    The Sunshine Stars player feels that the African champions can conquer the world in Rio de Janeiro.

    “I want to win [the Olympics],” he said.  “When we went to the U-23 Africa Nations Cup, I believed we would win and we did that in style.

    “We can rule the world as well. That is my simple confidence. I know it will shock the whole world if we do it but that is what life is about, shocking those who think you cannot achieve a certain goal,” he said.

  • SIASIA TO NIGERIANS: Dream Team VI ‘ll be super

    SIASIA TO NIGERIANS: Dream Team VI ‘ll be super

    One of the Assistant coaches of the Dream Team VI, Monday Odigie has assured football loving Nigerians that the head coach of the team, Samson Siasia has concluded plans to mould a formidable team that will make Nigeria proud at this year’s Olympics Football Tournament in Rio, Brazil.

    The former Golden Eaglets head coach who also assited Siasia when the Flying Eagles won silver at the 2005  FIFA U- 20 World Cup in Holland and at the Beijing, China Olympics where Siasia led the Dream Team IV to win the silver medal, said he was confident of the team doing well in Rio Olympics.

    “Football is so scientific and you cannot look up on just the players you have used to prosecute the tournament that fetched the Olympics ticket alone. It is a continuous thing and every Nigerian who falls within the age and who has what it takes to make this team better will definitely be given a look in by the head coach of the team (Samson Siasia).

    “That way you can create a very healthy rivalry in the team and then you can get if not the best but close to the very best for the team. This means that when we go to the international stage we would be able to match the opponents that come our way.

    “The bulk of the players that got us the qualification ticket for this year’s Olympic Football Tournament will definitely be retained according to the chief coach (Samson Siasia). Siasia is looking at and working very hard to get a very formidable team that will represent Nigeria at the Rio Olympics.

    The former Golden Eaglets’ head coach also welcomed the positive aspect of having a large pool of qualified players to be selected from for the Olympics and said it is a positive herculean task to deal with by the technical crew of the Dream Team VI.

    “Herculean is not a strange word in the coaching world but rather I call it an interesting exercise where you have to keep trying to be better as a coach. We are also looking out for these qualities and trying to polish the players that you have who are already good and trying to make the ones who are not good to become good.

    “This gives any coach plenty of joy and opportunity to explore the array of players who fall within this (the Olympics) age and who are Nigerians to come and show what they have.

    “It makes it very interesting and challenging but not herculean. It was like this before the team went to Senegal for the U- 23 Africa Cup of Nations and you saw what happened. The team tried to get better a game after the other by correcting the mistakes noticed in each match and tried to be ready for the next game”, Odigie told Sportinglife.