The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dream Team

  • Kanu hails Dream Team

    Kanu hails Dream Team

    Former Arsenal and Ajax Amsterdam star Nwankwo Kanu could not hide his delight after the Nigeria Under – 23s won the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations on Saturday night.

    The Samson Siasia – led side dug deep before beating Algeria 2 – 1 at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar thanks to a brace from Oghenekaro Etebo.

    “Congratulations Siasia and your coaching staff and the team.We are proud of all of you , champions of Africa, U-23, well done the Dream Team, ” Nwankwo Kanu tweeted.

    Kanu represented the original Dream Team at the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, USA and etched his name into Nigerian football folklore after notching a brace in the 4 -3 win over Brazil in the semifinal.

    Twelve years after that record of being the first African team to win the football event of the Olympic Games, the Nigeria U-23s qualified for the final in Beijing but lost 1 – 0 to a Lionel Messi – inspired Argentina.

  • Glo congratulates victorious Nigerian Dream Team XI

    Glo congratulates victorious Nigerian Dream Team XI

    • As they lift CAF U-23 Nations Cup, qualify for 2016 Olympics in Brazil

    Africa’s leading corporate supporter of football, Globacom, has congratulated the Nigeria U-23 team for winning the African U-23 Nations Cup in Dakar, Senegal on Saturday.

    The Samson Siasia-coached team defeated Algeria 2-1 in the highly technical game to emerge the African champion after enduring a shaky start in the quadrennial tournament.

    “We are delighted that the Dream Team overcame all adversities to triumph over Algeria, thereby adding to the sports laurels won by Nigeria in the outgoing year,” Globacom said in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.

    “We particularly commend the entire Nigerian team for taking the criticisms that greeted their initial poor performance in their stride and re-dedicated themselves to making Nigeria proud,” the statement added.

    The company said that as the nation’s next generation network,  “we encourage this crop of creative footballers to go and conquer the world in football at the Olympic Games holding in Brazil, and thereafter make the national team the Dream Team that Nigeria is yearning for.”

    The telecommunications company commended Nigerians for their support for the team which it described as the vital tonic, even as it also praised the efforts of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Sports Ministry in ensuring ultimate success for the team.

    “We look forward to a good outing in Brazil as the Dream Team begins preparation for the 2017 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro,” the statement further said.

    Globacom is the major partner of the NFF and official sponsor of the Nigerian national football teams.

  • VICTORIOUS DREAM TEAM ARRIVE IN LAGOS: U-23 Eagles return without Awoniyi, Ajayi

    VICTORIOUS DREAM TEAM ARRIVE IN LAGOS: U-23 Eagles return without Awoniyi, Ajayi

    • Duo and Okechukwu head for foreign clubs

    • Players, officials storm Abuja today

    Players and officials the victorious U-23 National Team, Dream Team, which lifted the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations on Saturday night arrived in Lagos at 9am today without three of their key foriegn-based players namely Captain Azubuike Okechukwu and forwards Junior Ajayi and Taiwo Awoniyi.

    According to the team’s itinerary, the Dream Team were expected to depart the Leopold Senghor International Airport on Monday at 3am aboard an ARIK Airline flight, and the players and officials touched down at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos by 9am.

    The victorious Dream team officals and players will cross over from the international airport’s lounge for the departure lounge in the domestic wing of the airport and will then board another ARIK airline flight to Abuja.

    Meanwhile, all three overseas –based professionals, namely captain Azubuike Okechukwu and forwards Junior Ajayi and Taiwo Awoniyi have returned to their different clubs and will not be part of the delegation arriving Nigeria.

    The three players departed for their bases immediately after the team returned to its Alafifa Hotel base from the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor on Saturday night.

  • NFF commends Dream Team, Siasia

    NFF commends Dream Team, Siasia

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has  praised the Under-23 football team and head coach, Samson Siasia following their success at the just-concluded U-23 Afcon in Senegal.

    Oghenekaro Etebo scored a brace to power Nigeria past Algeria in the showpiece game in Dakar as the Dream Team VI won 2-1 at Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium, Dakar.

    NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, who spoke on behalf of the federation identified “exceptional perseverance and unyielding spirit” and the impact of Siasia for the success in Senegal.

    “This is another reason to celebrate. We are delighted. But we give a lot of credit to the players and the officials led by coach Samson Siasia.

    “They showed exceptional perseverance and unyielding spirit to do the nation proud.

    “The NFF as a federation has special praise for coach Siasia. He was strong mentally and never lost focus, even in the face of odds. He is deserving of every encomium,” Pinnick told the federation’s official website, www.thenff.com.

    Nigeria have now qualified for the men’s football event of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro following the heroics of the Dream Team VI in Senegal.

  • Dream Team offered $4, 000-a-man to beat Algeria

    Dream Team offered $4, 000-a-man to beat Algeria

    Each player in the Dream Team will receive the Naira equivalent of $4,000 if Nigeria defeats Algeria in Saturday’s U-23 African Nations Cup final in Dakar, Senegal.

    However, the players will not get a dime if they lose to the Algerians, africanFootball.com reports.

    “It’s winner-takes-it-all. So we have to give everything to be champions tonight,” an official told africanFootball.com.

    The players were paid the Naira equivalent of $3,000-a-man for the semi-final win over hosts Senegal, $2,000-a-man for the opening-day win over Mali, and $1,000 for the draws with Egypt and Algeria.

    They were also paid $100 per day for the 10 days they trained in The Gambia prior to the championship.

    Altogether, each player has so far received the Naira equivalent of $8,000.

  • Glo hails ‘Dream Team’s semi-final berth

    Glo hails ‘Dream Team’s semi-final berth

    Nigeria’s biggest corporate supporter of football, Globacom, has congratulated the U-23 National team, the ‘Dream Team’  for qualifying for the semi-finals of the on-going U-23 African Cup of Nations in Senegal.

    A statement by Globacom in Lagos on Sunday described the Dream Team as worthy champions, urging them to go for victory in the semi- finals against Senegal to ensure that they pick one of the three tickets available for participation in the football event of 2017 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.

    The Golden Eaglets, who drew with Algeria in the last group B match, opened their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Mali before playing a 2-2 draw with Egypt to occupy the second position in Group B with 5 points, same as Algeria who, however, topped the group on superior goals difference.

    “We reckon with the great fighting spirit the team has so far demonstrated and we believe the spirit will help the team to achieve the ultimate goal of lifting the trophy,” the statement said.

    “We also advise the technical crew to work on the team’s defence which has not lived up to expectation. The way the defence conceded two goals in quick succession in the first match when the team was already ahead of Mali by three goals and in the second group match when Egypt suddenly equalised from two goals down, requires urgent attention.“

    Apart from the defence problems, Globacom also urged the coaching crew to work on other weak links observed in the last three matches in order to present a formidable team against the tough Senegalese team who apart from being the host also led Group A.

    “We have utmost confidence in the Dream Team to beat Senegal,” Globacom further said. The company also urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigerians to keep supporting the Dream Team in its quest to fly the Nigerian flag at the next Olympics.

    Globacom is the major partner of the NFF and official sponsor of the Nigerian national teams.

  • Unuanel backs Dream Team to beat Algeria

    Unuanel backs Dream Team to beat Algeria

    Highly-rated coach, Samson Unuanel has urged fans to be patient as the Nigeria U23 side seeks to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

    The Samson Siasia tutored team had another display of deja vu Wednesday in M’bour, Senegal when they threw away a two-goal lead in the first half, only to allow Egypt claw back into the game in the second half to cancel the lead. The game ended 2-2.

    Although Egypt comeback was helped by Nigeria’s miserable defence line, the Egyptians deserved the draw, as they harassed the Nigerians for most of the second half.

    Nigeria, who were leading with two goals before the half time through a brace from Etebo Oghenekaro’s spot kicks goals in the 20th and 30th minutes, failed to defend this lead as they gave the Egyptians the golden opportunities to score two quick goals in the second half.

    The Nigerians had collapsed in the second half as well in their first game against Mali on Sunday, allowing Mali to clip the 3-0 lead to end the tie 3-2.

    Despite the lapses in concentration by Siasia’s team, Unuanel has urged the Nigerians not to lose faith in the team.

    According to the former Niger Tornadoes coach, it is too early to judge the young players because they still have a lot to learn and the future looks bright.

    “We need to give them time, it is too early to judge them. The team still have a long way to go in this tournament. They will achieve better results and gain experience,” said the ex-Enyimba and Kwara United coach in a chat with News24.

    “The fans didn’t really like the way things went in the game against Egypt, but we must also understand that this is the game of football, it’s a funny game. The boys won’t disappoint in subsequent matches.”

    He added: “We know the players can make the difference, so we just need to give them the chance to prove themselves in the final group match against Algeria, assist them such that they can get the spirit of topping the group and going on to pick a ticket to play in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.”

  • Senegal U-23 Nations Cup: Siasia says Dream Team will improve against Egypt

    Senegal U-23 Nations Cup: Siasia says Dream Team will improve against Egypt

    • Says new defenders need time to blend
    • Happy with his attackers

     

    U-23 national coach, Samson Siasia believes his players were lucky not to lose to Mali who came close to drawing level in Sunday’s group B opening match of the Africa U-23 Nations Championship. Nigeria won the encounter 3-2 to top the group.

    “It was a difficult match. We played very well in the beginning and scored three goals. The defenders made two mistakes which cost us, and they (Mali) scored twice. The defenders panicked and they (Mali) almost equalised. I guess we were lucky to escape,” said the coach.

    “I am very happy and also thank God Almighty for winning the first group match against Mali. The first game of every tournament is always very difficult and needs to be handled with utmost care if not you may lose the game and put serious pressure on the team in the remaining two matches of the group. Now that we won the first match we know what to do to win the second that we expect will be more difficult and technical. Playing against Egypt won’t be easy at all but we will work hard on the field of play to win the match”, Siasia told SportingLife from Senegal yesterday.

    Ahead of Wednesday’s second game against Egypt, Siasia has promised to parade a more desperate and result oriented team. The coach sees the match as a titanic battle, as who wins will qualify for the next round of the competition. The competition serves as Africa’s qualifiers to determine its representatives for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

    Siasia, who showed appreciation to all Nigerians that supported him when his mother, Madam Beauty Ogere Siasia was kidnapped before she was rescued by the Bayelsa State Police in the early hours of Saturday, urged Nigerians to be patient with his team as they won’t disappoint.

    “We have identified the problematic area in the team which is the defense line. We have always paraded a very strong defense line but the inclusion of some new players has not made the line to be very effective against the Malians. The players that have joined are some of the best we have in the league but just needed time to blend together. I can assure everybody that they will leave up to their billings in the next match against Egypt.

    He also showered praises on his forward line comprising Taiwo Awoniyi, Junior Ajayi and Etebor Oghenekaro. “The boys did everything most especially in the first half to get the goals. I am very optimistic that the team will perform better against Egypt. Junior Ajayi was exceptionally good in the match,”Siasia said.

  • Mali 2-3 Nigeria: Dream Team survives Mali scare

    Mali 2-3 Nigeria: Dream Team survives Mali scare

    Nigeria’s Under-23 team edged their Malian counterparts 3-2 in M’Bour, Senegal in a Group B game of the Under-23 Afcon on Sunday.

    The Nigerians raced into a three-goal lead at half time through a brace from Junior Ajayi and a strike from FC Taraba’s playmaker, Usman Mohammed.

    The malians scored two second half goals from Adama Niane and Souleymane Sissoko.

    Nigeria under-23 head coach, Samson Siasia, named two overseas-based players, Taiwo Awoniyi and Ajayi, in his startlist with the former playing in a strange wide position on the right. Ajayi justified playing as the centre forward.

    Abia Warriors attacking midfielder, Ndifreke Udo Effiong, started at left-back.

    Mali should have gone ahead on 36 seconds when Souleymane Diarra’s effort came off the crossbar with Nigeria goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel rooted to the spot.

    Cheick Oumar Kone’s men who had seven overseas-based stars among their starters continued to run the show with sleek passing play that pinned back Siasia’s men.

    But the game turned on its head when Nigeria took the lead in the 16th minute. Warri Wolves winger Stanley Dimgba’s pace on the left wing was too much for the Malians to curb as he crossed low into the box, Awoniyi missed though got a touch before Ajayi finished off with a cheeky backheel past Djigui Diarra in Mali’s goal.

    Ajayi’s goal was the alibi Nigeria needed to restore confidence after a shaky start, and in the 34th minute, Usman side-footed from close range past Djigui following a sweeping move to make it two-nil.

    Despite their two-goal lead, Nigeria were made to chase possession of the ball but Ajayi popped up again in the Mali box again to score his second of the game to give his team a three-goal in the first minute of added time.

    At the break it was clear that Mali did not just have a Herculean task on their hands, but had a mountain to climb.

    Oumar Kone’s men responded well in the restart and within 10 minutes of the second half gave themselves a lifeline.

    FC Nantes forward Adama Niane scored from the spot after he was fouled in the Nigerian box by Oghenekaro Etebo.

    The Malian coach then switched tactics by throwing on Real de Bamako striker, Yves Bissouma for defender Idrissa Sogodogo and that move paid off as they put Nigeria on the backfoot all through the second half.

    On 65 minutes, a neat move by Mali freed Sissoko in the box and the Wydad Casablanca man made no mistake to prod the ball past a despairing Daniel in Nigeria’s goal.

    Mali continued to probe their West African rivals and found an avenue to exploit in Nigeria’s left-back as Adama Traore gave Effiong a torrid time.

    Siasia’s men held on to their lead in a game of two halves to claim the full points to go top of Group B after Egypt and Algeria had earlier played out a 1-1 draw.

  • Onigbinde tips Dream Team to pick Olympics ticket

    Onigbinde tips Dream Team to pick Olympics ticket

    Former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde has thrown his weight behind the Dream Team V1 tutored by Samson Siasia to pick a ticket for next year’s Olympic Games Football Event bill for Rio, Brazil.

    He disclosed this to SportingLife in Abuja during the CAF B Coaching Course that was concluded on Saturday at the Abuja National Stadium Goal Project.

    “I have not changed my nationality. I am a Nigerian and a patriotic one indeed so I want the best for my country. I can never wish my country bad. So I pray for the Dream Team V1 to pick one of the tickets for the Olympics”.

    The CAF Instructor said he looks forward to a good outing by the  National U-23 Team in Senegal. “I know nothing good comes  by magic but this depends on what  the handler put into the team,” Onigbinde stated.

    The former Super Eagles tactician to the 2002 FIFA  World Cup also expressed happiness that Siasia’s mother who was kidnapped 12 days ago was eventually released by her abductors. ” It is unfortunate that he got into that problem  the Nigerian system got him into that. But I am happy that Siasia’s mother has been re-united with her family,” Onigbinde disclosed.