• Calls for adequate preparation for Rio 2016
Former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ahmed Sani Toro has praised the Dream Team VI of Nigeria for winning the 2015 CAF U-23 Championship held in Senegal.
The team led by Samson Siasia defeated hot favourites Algeria 2-1 in the finals courtesy two goals from the tournament’s top scorer Oghenkaro Etebo but again there was special mention for goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel who saved a penalty just like he did in the semifinals.
‘Congrats for Nigeria U-23 Football Team’s winning African Championship,’ he told SportingLife. ‘We are most grateful to the Almighty God for this victory.’
He also used the opportunity to encourage the Nigerian football authorities to begin early preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympics and hopes Nigeria can again win the men’s football event like they did back in 1996.
‘It is now time for the NFF in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Sports and Nigeria Olympic Commission(NOC) to adequately prepare the Team for Olympic participation, so as to repeat the 1996 edition, God willing. Once again, congratulations,’ he said.
Siasia was in-charge of the U-23 team when they finished as runners up to Argentina at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.