‘Don’t Expect Much From Dream Team VI’

Lobi Stars Fc’s Keeper, Terkaa Melai in action.

The Media Officer of Nigeria’s Under-23 male football team, Timi Ebikagboro yesterday in Abuja said Nigerians should not expect much from the team at the upcoming 11th All-Africa Games.
Ebikagboro told newsmen that the team would however still come back with a good result from the Games scheduled for Brazzaville in Congo.
Dream Team VI will face Ghana, Senegal and Egypt in Group B of the Men’s Football Tournament at the Games holding from September. 4 to Sept. 19.
“We are going to do our best, as we have always done. We went to Congo to pick the AAG ticket, and that was after we got a good result from Zambia.
“So, we will surely come back with a good result. But Nigerians should not expect miracles from us.
“We cannot assure Nigerians that we will win the gold medal,’’ the team spokesman said.
He said however that while the team was optimistic as a group, there were a number of discouraging signs.
“Right now, we only have 14 players on ground in camp. The number of players on ground is not encouraging.
“Even though the players in camp are fit and there are no injuries for now, but I cannot say that the team is ready.
“I can rate the level of our readiness at 40 per cent in view of the number of players we have in camp to prepare,’’ Ebikagboro said.
The team, after drawing bye in the first round, had overrun Gabon 6-1 aggregate and Zambia 2-1 aggregate to qualify for the tournament.
Ebikagboro said the team would however leave Abuja on Saturday for Congo with the available players.
“We hope to leave on Saturday, even though some of the key players will not be able to travel with the team. This is due to other engagements.
“The National Sports Commission (NSC) however has the final say. The last function of this team’s handlers in this regard is to release the name of the players.
“Players like Abdullahi Shehu (Quadsia FC, Kuwait), Saviour Godwin (Plateau United) are Taiwo Awoniyi (Imperial Academy) are out of the team, while Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba) is with the Super Eagles,’’ he said.
On the team’s final phase of preparations, Ebikagboro said Dream Team VI would face Ebonyi United in a friendly match at the FIFA Goal Project at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
Our correspondent recalls that the national under-23 male football team has also qualified for the African U-23 Championship slated for Senegal from Nov. 28 to Dec. 11.
Our correspondent reports that the team will join hosts Senegal and six other qualifiers in the finals, with the championship’s top three teams flying Africa’s flag at the 2016 Olympic Games.