TheCable

Samson Siasia, head coach of Nigeria’s U-23 team, says his team remain focused as they face Mali on Sunday in group B second game at the African U-23 tournament in Senegal.

Siasia told CAF website: “We are here to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. We have to train hard and make sure the players play to instructions. All teams deserve to be here.

“For us, we are tactically sound and know the kind of opposition to expect. All the teams will be tough to play and the best thing will be about creating and scoring chances.

“The first game is always important, and you need to win it. If you draw the first game, usually it affects the confidence for the second game. We are taking no chances.”

The coach has also expressed his confidence in U-17 team revelation, Victor Osimhen.

“Victor Osimhen has shown a lot promise, and when given the chance he will prove to all that his performance in Chile was no fluke. It is always good to encourage young players, and Victor has shown enough quality at training,” he said.

The Dream Team VI will further play group B counterparts, Egypt and Algeria in a bid to book their ticket to the Olympic Games holding in Rio de Janiero, Brazil in 2016.