Tag Archives: Dream Team

Rio2016: Bronze Better Than Nothing, Izilein Urges Dream Team

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Godwin Izilein, a former coach of the Super Falcons, on Friday appealed to the Dream Team VI to play well and win the bronze medal.

Izilein said that winning the bronze was better than not getting anything.

The football tactician identified late preparation for major events as responsible for the poor performance of Nigerian sportsmen and women in tournaments.

He called on administrators of sports in the country to be alive to their responsibilities by ensuring early preparation for tournaments.

He said, “I still salute their courage, considering what they went through. It takes people with lion heart to easily come out of what they went through.

“I will urge them to concentrate well for the bronze medal. We need it, it is better than not having anything at all.

“Why are we always starting late in terms of preparation?

“As we speak, some countries are already planning for the 2020 games.

‘’Here, we only start rushing things when it is two or three months to a major tournament and expect the athletes to perform wonders.”

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http://punchng.com/bronze-better-nothing-coach-izilein-tells-dream-team/

Rio Olympics: We Didn’t Play Well Against Germany – Mikel

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Nigeria U-23 skipper, Mikel Obi, has admitted that his team mates didn’t play well in Wednesday’s Olympics football semi final clash against Germany in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

 

With the Nigerians missing the services of two key players in the shape of Oghenekaro Etebo and Azubuike Okechukwu, the Dream Team struggled against the Europeans, first conceding early in the first half, before Nils Petersen grabbed a second goal with one minute remaining.

“I wanted to win the gold medal, but the fact is that we did not play well today (Wednesday). The Germans played well,” the Chelsea midfielder was quoted as saying at the press conference.”

 

“We are professionals, we can now claim third place and this is what we get. We want to give a medal to Nigeria.”

How Much Dream Team Got As Allowance

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Members of the U-23 team have been paid their camp allowances for 22 days, while injured striker Junior Ajayi has been cleared to feature in Saturday’s Olympics quarter final clash against Denmark.

The four-goal hero in the team opening game against Japan, Oghenekaro Etebo has been ruled out of the last eight clash slated for Arena Corinthians in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

“The Sports Ministry has cleared all camp allowances of the Dream team in Rio. Players and officials have now been paid 22 days allowances,” the team spokesman, Timi Ebikagboro told africanFootball.com.

This means each player has now received $3,300 with coach Samson Siasia getting twice that amount.

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Dream Team gets outstanding allowances

Rio Olympics: Siasia, Dream Team May Boycott Quarter Finals

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Nigeria Olympic team coach Samson Siasia has lashed out at how “disrespectful” the authorities have been to his team, saying he will now support the boys should they insist on boycotting Saturday’s quarterfinal against Denmark.

 

Siasia’s scathing comments on national radio Friday confirmed reports on the latest crisis that has engulfed his team in Brazil.

 

“We have been disrespected from all angles – the sports ministry, the Nigeria Football Federation. Is that how you will treat your own children? We are not street kids,” former Super Eagles coach Siasia fired away on Brila FM sports radio Friday morning.

 

“We have only been paid allowances for 11 days. There is no match bonus. What of all the months we have been training in Nigeria and Atlanta? That’s not fair.

 

“I have not received my salary for the past five months.

 

“Everything is upside down and the boys don’t want to play anymore. Whatever they want to do, I’m with them. They are right for fighting for their rights.”

Siasia continued: “The country already has a bad image, but through football it has got some good image, but still they won’t let us play.”

 

“I have begged these boys, but I cannot do more than what I have done to get this team up to this point.”

 

“I have done my best and now I am tired.”

 

Siasia also put a lie to an official statement by the NFF that there was no order for kits to be returned to Nigeria after the Rio Olympics.

 

As usual, the NFF were quick to dismiss a media report that the NFF secretariat ordered that kits be returned to the office from Rio.

 

But Siasia told Brila FM: ”The NFF ordered that they bring back the jerseys (from Brazil). Siji Lagunju (of the NFF technical department) was directed to bring the jerseys back to the NFF.”

Dalung Apologizes To Dream Team

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Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has on Monday apologised to Nigeria’s players and officials of the Olympic football team over issues surrounding the contingent’s late arrival in Brazil.

The minister tendered his apologies to the dream team in the dressing room after they defeated and progressed to the quarter-finals at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 with a 1-0 victory over Sweden. His words “I want to apologise for all the circumstances that led to your late arrival here.

“I apologise because I am the head and as such I must take responsibility for anything that happen under my watch.

“I am happy you all have put the unfortunate incident behind you and have shown that you are true heroes by making the country proud with your qualification for the quarterfinals.

“This qualification is unique as you guys are the first team to do so in the football event. I want to assure you that we appreciate your efforts, and I want to say that it’s when a man faces challenges that his true ability is tested.

“I am sure we all have learnt our lessons and will take the lessons to heart going forward.” Dalung recalled that the team faced similar challenges on the way to winning the Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal last year, where they qualified for the Olympics.

He then assured the players and officials that all bonuses and allowances due to them will be paid.

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http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/dalung-apoligises-to-dream-team-calls-them-true-heroes/

Rio Olympics: Sports Minister, Dalung Hails Dream Team For Beating Japan

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Youths & Sports Development Minister, Barr. Solomon Dalung has hailed the U-23 Eagles for their victory against Japan in their first Group B match of men’s football event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Eagles despite arriving Manaus from Atlanta, USA, few hours before the game put up a strong showing in their win against the Asians.

Dalung, who took to microblogging site, Twitter to heap plaudits on the Samson Siasia tutored lads for their fighting spirit and patriotism, said: “I heartily congratulate the national U-23 football team for their outstanding 5-4 victory over Japan in their opening Group B game.”

Credit: Vanguard

See How Much Dream Team, Siasia Earned After Winning AFCON

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Each member of the Dream Team V1 was paid the Naira equivalent of $4,000 after they defeated Algeria 2-1 to clinch the 2015 AFCON in Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday night and this brings to a total of $12,000 each player was paid.

“We have been paid our winning bonus for the final,” a player confirmed to Africanfootball.com yesterday morning. They would not have got anything had they lost the final.

In total, each player received the Naira equivalent of $12,000 for winning the U23 AFCON. Coach Samson Siasia was paid double this amount.

A further breakdown showed the team were paid the Naira equivalent of $4,000-a-player for the final win, $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 this championship, which amounted to $1,000.
Credit: DailyTrust