Four reasons why Nigeria lost to Germany yesterday

What Germany showed in the 2-0 win was that we (Africa in particular) still do not understand the real dynamics of football and team preparation. Our coaches think football is just about playing a certain formation that allows eleven players running around the pitch for 90 minutes. 

They fail to understand that football is like a political game or race. You need to plan ahead by looking for errors or loopholes to capitalize on to cause first class damage to your opponents. 

Horst Hrubesch (Germany's coach) knew that the Nigerian strength was attack and press so he planned and successfully negated these strengths. But how did he achieve it? Yesterday I Pointed out five things we can capitalize on to wreck havoc on the Germans.

They got an early goal

The only game that the Dream Team had gone behind before Wednesday’s loss to Germany was their third group game against Colombia, and they also lost 2-0.  So Hrubesch set out his players to get an goal, knowing that the Nigerians would be slow to respond. 

This worked based on the two major absentees. There was no Azubuike Okechukwu to pass the ball from defence into attack and there was no direct running from Oghenekaro Etebo.

They stopped Mikel From dictating play 

Hrubesch knew that the more time Mikel Obi had on the ball, the more influence he would have on the game so they set out to ensure that he did not have time on the ball.  Mikel was fouled nine times – the most by any of the players that started the match and not by the same player.

They used the one-two pass to great effect

They detected that the Nigerian team do not have great Chemistry and tactical coordination so they used their movement and tactical awareness to move the ball from one point to the other – making the players that should have been the offensive lynchpins to concentrate more on tracking back to help their team. One of such was the opening goal when Imoh Ezekiel switched off and his team was punished.

They fouled tactically not foolishly 

Anytime they saw that the Dream Team were about to get up a steam, they fouled and stopped the play, especially in the second half. They knew that they could not physically compete with the Nigerians so they ensured that their fouls were given away in the middle of the pitch. Check out Sven Bender’s foul on Mikel when there were acres of space in front of the Nigerian.

Many would conclude the loss of both Okechukwu and Etebo caused collateral damage to the team, which could be true but the other truth is that the Germans were tactically superior in all departments. And we still have a lot to learn!

We failed to use the wings

In my pre match post I said that the Germans are so good in the midfield that we cant take control in the midfield. I pointed out the major deficiency they had,which is a shaky right and left full backs.

If coach Siasia had instructed Aminu Umar and Imoh Ezekiel to force play from the wings, we would have seen numerous errors from them.

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Five things we must do to beat Germany tonight

By Chinedu laurel Okorodike (Aka Juanizy) 
Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit

Today's match between Nigeria and German will be a match between two high scoring side. Nigeria has pumped in 10 goals while Germany can boast of 19 goals 

Do not concede too many free kicks or corners

Against a ‘weak’ Denmark team, the Dream Team conceded eight corner kicks but even though the Germans have scored 19 goals [10 against Fiji], they have not scored any from a direct set piece. 

This does not mean that they would not start against Nigeria, because they are supposed to be technically suave and superior to their African opponents. The Germans are good in aerial balls, their players are physical and quite huge.  Also Max Meyer and Serge Gnabry (who has scored two free kick) can punish us at any time through free kicks

Play a double pivot in midfield

Azubuike Okechukwu is suspended for the semi-final and we have lost Oghenekaro Etebo to injury, so the advise to Siasia would be to play right back, Usman Mohammed in Azubuike’s place and ensure that Mikel stays more defensively-minded. The coaching crew should expect to have less time on the ball as it was against Denmark but they must ensure that there are no lone presses in midfield. When the team presses, all the players must press in unison, so as not to create gaps through which the Germans could exploit. 

If we fail to do this, the Bender Brothers (Especially Lars Bender can punish us).They have taken command of the German midfield all through their matches so far.  

Play with two central attackers

The Germans conceded five goals in their first two games and if not for late heroics from Serge Gnabry, they would not have made it into the second round. So, there is a weakness in the central defensive pairing of Niklas Suele and Matthias Ginter, who showed against Mexico and Korea that they do not enjoy playing against direct runners. Siasia should play Sadiq Umar and Aminu Umar with Imoh Ezekiel on the left flank to expose this weakness and to always have numbers in the box when the Nigerian team attacks.

Be hungry to win the ball after losing it and be Discipline without the ball

It is not only important that the Dream Team know what to do on the ball but more importantly that they do not daydream without the ball. Running off the ball to create space for another teammate is a distinct feature of the modern game, so whether in possession or out of possession, the players need to cover the miles. They must also ensure that they match the Germans for intensity throughout all 90 minutes and extra time if needed.

One thing that the U-23 have showed consistently in the four games played in Brazil is the propensity to drop off – to let their rhythm slacken or diminish. Against one of the super powers, Siasia has to ensure that the message to stay alert and concentrated resonates with all the players.

This are just pieces of advice for the technical team even though they definitely know more about managing the game than we do but as Nigerians, who want something to cheer, we could not stand aside and do nothing. We wish this team the best of luck.

Finally attack from the wing......

I don't think we can match these Germans in the midfield. So I suggest we attack from the wing. This is because they don't have good full backs. If Imoh Ezekiel and Aminu Umar can get their acts together, they can cause problems for the Germans via the wings, as we can boast of fast and pacy wingers who could pull beautiful crosses or square plays for Sadiq Umar to cause first class damage. 

Personally I have watched the full backs of the Germans that is led by Toljan and Sule they are not exceptional.We can over run them through the wings.

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Nigeria vs Germany: Can the Dream team determination crush the youthful German Machines tonight

By Chinedu laurel Okorodike (Aka Juanizy) 
Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit

When funding issues meant Nigeria’s men’s football team was stranded in Atlanta on the eve of the Olympics, even making it to its opening match appeared a tall order. The idea that the team could actually prosper in the event looked to have already been extinguish by the sort of administration woes that have hobbled the country’s progress on the football field for far too long. Yet, improbably, the Super Eagles now stand a win over Germany in Wednesday’s semifinals away from being guaranteed at least a silver medal.

It is quite the contrast. Off the field, the Nigerian team’s Olympics have been nothing short of a disaster. Its plane arrived in Manaus for its opening game against Japan only hours before kickoff, after the airline supposed to charter a flight from Atlanta failed to get paid by the country’s sports ministry.

Nigeria somehow won that game 5-4 and made its way through the group stage, but more problems arose ahead of its quarterfinal against Denmark when players refused to turn up for a training session after a pay dispute. Hearing of the financial woes, a Japanese plastic surgeon has even offered to pay each member of the squad $30,000 if they take home the gold medal.

Still, that promise did not prevent Nigeria from sending its two alternate players – Stanley Dimgba and Yusuf Mohammed – as well as three team officials home ahead of the semifinals in order to reduce costs. Yet, despite its country’s authorities seemingly doing everything possible to undermine its chances, Nigeria has continued to do the business on the pitch against far better prepared teams.

Twenty years after Nigeria’s greatest football moment, it is now eyeing further Olympic glory. Perhaps even the fact that the team’s plane was stranded in Atlanta of all places proved to be an omen for what has followed. It was, after all, the American city which hosted the 1996 Olympics and where Nigeria beat Brazil 4-3 in the semifinals in perhaps the greatest Olympic soccer match of recent times, before defeating Argentina in the final.

That side included a startling array of talent, including Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West and more. And it was that team that had a pivotal impact on the captain of the 2016 Olympic team, John Obi Mikel.

“Watching Nigeria beat Brazil in the semifinal and then Argentina in the final really inspired me,” the Chelsea midfielder told the London Evening Standard last month. “I was just kicking a football around for fun back then in the streets. But after seeing Nigeria win the gold medal, I changed.”

Mikel may have scored just one Premier League goal in 247 appearances, but he found the net as Nigeria beat Denmark 2-0 in the quarterfinals. And it is Mikel who is the undoubted star of a 2016 Olympic team that doesn’t have the star power of the 1996 version but has produced some thrilling play in Brazil.

But, in Germany, Nigeria will be going up against a team that has also provided plenty of entertainment. Germany has scored 19 goals in its four Olympic matches, a remarkable tally even if 10 of those did come against minnows Fiji.

Serge Gnabry, alone, is responsible for six of those and has been the outstanding player for Germany ever since coming off the bench in the team’s opening game to help salvage a draw against Mexico. And the 21-year-old was on target once again in the quarterfinals, opening the scoring as his side beat Portugal by a surprisingly emphatic 4-0 margin. 

Gnabry will hope that his form in the Olympics will earn him a first-team opportunity when he returns to his club, Arsenal. But before that he can endear himself to Arsenal supporters by getting once over Chelsea rival, Mikel.

Nigeria vs Germany: Key Facts

Nigeria will be facing a European team for the third time in this Olympics and they have defeated the previous two. They Super Eagles have also lost one of their four games in the competition, scored 8 and conceded 6.

Germany will be locking horns with an African side for the first time in the completion. In addition, the German are unbeaten in the competition and scored the the highest no of goals 19 goals in the tournament, with 14 coming from last two games.

Nigeria vs Germany: Head to Head

These two Nations will be facing each other for the first time in this competition. Germany and Nigeria national football team last met in an international friendly that took place in Koln.

However, Germany have had encounter with African sides in the football aspect of the Olympics. During their last appearance in Seoul 1988, the German met African side like Zambia, And Tunisia, and enjoyed a resounding victory over them.

On their way to the Semi-final of this on-going Olympics, Nigeria faced and defeated 2 European sides. In Addition, any Nigeria Olympic football team has never lost to an European side since the West African country scooped the gold medal in 1996.

Prediction

It promises to be a thrilling contest in Sao Paulo between the two most entertaining sides in the competition. Much could come down to which side is more clinical in front of goal.

This is going to be close game considering the quality in both sides, and their exploit on the way to the final.

Germany has only one shot off target out of their 20 shot goal in this game, netting 19 goals the highest in the competition so far. The German will however be facing a more tactical side, and a team that have failed to loss against any European side in any Olympics game.

In their last Olympic appearance (i.e. Beijing 2008), Nigeria faced an European in the same level of the competition, and produced a wide margin victory over the European side. Dream team V under the tutelage of Samson Siasia defeated Belgium with 4-1 score line and ease to the final of the 2008 edition of the Olympics.

In conclusion, both sides have produced great performances in Rio so far, and have had few historical advantages. This clash is going to produce the best football performance in Rio, and narrow line will separate the two sides. I however predict a win for the Nigerian side.

Predicted starting Eleven

Nigeria starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Daniel; Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Sincere, Amuzie; Okechukwu, Usman; Ezekiel, Obi Mikel, A. Umar; S. Umar

Germany starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Horn; Toljan, Ginter, Sule, Klostermann; S. Bender, L. Bender; Brandt, Meyer, Gnabry; Selke

Players to watch

Serge Gnabry

Germany’s Serge Gnabry is the leading goal scorer at the Olympics with six goals. He has scored in all four of Germany’s matches since he came on as a substitute in the team’s Olympic opener. 

Gnabry has been a consistent threat on the left side, cutting in to the middle of the field on his stronger right foot. He also has two goals from free kicks. 

This should be an exciting match with plenty of scoring chances for both sides.

Mikel Obi

Nigeria is led by captain John Obi Mikel. The Chelsea midfielder was selected as one of the team’s overage players. He plays behind Nigeria’s front line, which is loaded with talented players including Sadiq Umar, Imoh Ezekiel and Oghenekaro Etebo. 

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Nigeria to play Denmark in the Q/finals after Colombia loss

Colombia has joined Nigeria in the quarter-finals of the Rio Olympics Men’s football event after beating the West Africans 2-0 in Sao Paulo.

The South Americans were clinical as an early first half goal by captain Teofilo Gutierrez and a second-half penalty from Dorlan Pabon prove to be enough.

Dream Team VI manager Samson Siasia as expected rested some key players but surprisingly started Captain Mikel Obi and topscorer Oghenekaro Etebo after already securing top spot.

The Los Cafeteros took a fourth minute lead as unmarked Sporting Lisbon forward Gutierrez volleyed a cross from Pabon past Daniel Akpeyi who was making his first appearance in goal for Nigeria in the tournament.

The Colombians continued to pile pressure on the Nigerian defence as they grew in confidence – Akpeyi denied Harold Preciado’s close-range header before Pabon put his efforts wide.

The Dream Team VI created opportunities of their own as Roma striker Sadiq Umar played Oghenekaro Etebo through on goal but he wasted the chance after finding himself free at the back post.

The former Warri Wolves had another chance but Cristian Bonilla in goal for Colombia saved comfortably from his well-struck freekick. However, it was Colombia that increased their lead in the second half as Dream Team VI goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi brought down Preciado and Pabon took the resultant penalty which he converted effortlessly for 2-0.

The reward for the empathic win over Nigeria is a clash against hosts Brazil in Sao Paulo as they finished second in Group B with five points while the Dream Team VI topped the log with six points and will travel to Salvador on Saturday to play Denmark.

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Rio 2016: Colombia Stun U-23 Eagles To Seal Quarter-Final Place

South American side Colombia defeated Nigeria’s U-23 team 2-0 in their Group B final game of the Rio 2016 Olympics men’s football event in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Colombia took the lead as early as the 4th minute through striker Teofilo Gutierrez before making sure of the points with a second half penalty from Dorlan Pabon to hand Nigeria their first defeat of the tournament.

Despite the defeat, Nigeria still finish top with six points from three games ahead of Colombia (5 points), Japan (4 points) and Sweden (2 points). Nigeria will meet the runners-up from Group A for a spot in the semi-finals.

Starting XI: Daniel Akpeyi; Ndifreke Effiong, Sincere Seth, William Troost-Ekong, Kingsley Madu; Azubuike Okechukwu, John Mikel Obi, Saliu Popoola (Usman Muhammed), Oghenekaro Etebo, Aminu Umar (Imoh Ezekiel); Umar Sadiq

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Rio 2016: Sadiq Umar’s Header fires Nigeria Into Quarter-Finals

AS Roma youngster Umar Sadiq scored the only goal of the game for the national U-23 team, Dream Team VI,  as they defeated‎ Sweden 1-0 in their second group game played at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus to seal a place in the quarter-finals of the men’s football event of the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Sadiq, who impressed a lot of ‎fans during the 5-4 win over Japan, headed in left-back Stanley Amuzie’s cross in the 39th minute for what turned out to be the winning goal. Samson Siasia’s team have now amassed the maximum six points from two games played and would be hoping ‎to seal top spot in the group with at least a point against Colombia in their last group game.

It was sweet victory for the U-23 team, as they continue in their quest to do Nigeria proud in the ongoing summer Olympic Games. Nigeria become only the second team to qualify for the knock-out stage as they joined Portugal in the last eight.

Dream Team VI Starting XI: Emmanuel Daniel; Shehu Abdullahi (Ndifreke Udo 88′), William Troost-Ekong, Sincere Seth, Stanley Amuzie; Musa Mohammed, Azubuike Okechukwu, John Mikel Obi (Kingsley Madu 80′), Oghenekaro Etebo, Imoh Ezekiel; Umar Sadiq (Aminu Umar 74′)

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Match Preview: Nigeria vs Sweden. (Kickoff 11pm tonight Nigeria time) Also Read Players to watch

By Chinedu Laurel Okorodike  
Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit

Time 

Kickoff is set for 11pm  Nigeria time (Sunday). 

Overview

Nigeria began their Olympic campaign with an entertaining 5-4 win over Japan and will be keen to continue their momentum when they face Sweden on Sunday. Despite arriving in Brazil just six hours prior to kick-off, the Super Eagles remained focused and dispatched the Asian U23 champions, in a game that saw both teams struggle defensively.

Samson Siasia's side had Oghenekaro Etebo to thank after the midfielder scored four of Nigeria's five goals. They will be hoping to tighten up at the back when they face Sweden on Sunday, after conceding four goals against Japan. Nigeria won their only gold medal 20 years ago at Atlanta 1996, following which they have managed just one silver medal, which was at Beijing 2008.

Sweden, meanwhile, played out a 2-2 draw against Colombia in their opening encounter and sit in the second place on the table two points behind Nigeria. The Swedes are only making their second appearance, with their previous outing coming in the 1992 games in Barcelona when they were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

It is the first time Nigeria and Sweden are meeting in the Olympics, but the Swedes hold an advantage in the head-to-head record between the two nations.

Mikel on Saturday attributed the Nigeria U-23 victory over Japan in their first group match to the goodwill of Nigerians who were solidly behind the team and the grace of God while he also remains positive that the same spirit will see the team through.

Given their arrival to the venue a few hours before the game, many gave an outside chance of winning the match, the best they hoped on was a draw but Mikel inspired his mates to post a dramatic 5-4 win over the Japanese.

“We thank God and millions of Nigerians who stayed awake till late to cheer us. It was not an easy match, we are grateful for their goodwill and support that gave us victory, our focus is now on the next match against Sweden’’ said Mikel.

Nigeria will play Sweden on Sunday at 11pm at the   40, 549 capacity Arena da Amazonia, Manaus, the same stadium where they defeated Japan.

The defence featuring William Troost-Ekong, Sincere Seth and Stanley Amuzie were out of their depth against Japan.

Amuzie, gave away a penalty, that aided the Japanese fight back. However, after training on Friday the players showed some promise. But how they cope with the Swedes who made Colombia sweat for their equaliser remains to be seen. Their strikers Mikael Ishak and Astrit Ajdarevic were on target in the 2-2 opening day draw with Colombia.

But Nigerians can expect another fluid movements from strikers Oghenkaro Etebo and Roma youngster Sadiq Umar. The Roma player made a bright start to his foray with the team with a goal and also provided an assist and won a penalty.

Nigeria currently atop of Group B with three points while opponents Sweden hold a point after 2-2 opening draw against Colombia.

In the other Group B clash, Japan face Colombia  at the Arena Amazonia, Manaus.

Nigeria Players to watch

Etebo Oghenekaro 

Etebo Oghenekaro 

20 years Old Etebo Oghenekaro was a thorn in the flesh of the Japanese team in Nigeria's opening match. The former Warri Wolves striker scored 4 goals in the match as Nigeria won 5-4. Watch out for him to continue his forward dazzling run against Sweden tonight.

Sadiq Umar

Sadiq Umar

Sadiq Umar forward runs and hold up play was like a hot iron for the Japanese side to handle. Expect the As Roma striker to continue his brilliant run today. He is 6 feet 6 inches tall and is always a threat when it comes to aerial balls. 

I have been following him right from his time in the As Roma academy and I know what he can offer. 

Captain Mikel Obi

Mikel experience will be needed against the Swedish team tonight who also boost of an experience defence marshaled by Milosevic. Against Japan Mikel played in an attacking position in the midfield. 

If coach Samson Siasia can heed to my plea and deploy him to his preferable defensive midfield position, it will go a long way to help protect the defense marshaled by William Troost Ekong

William Troost-Ekong

Against Japan William Troost-Ekong looked shaky. But I can pardon him because he was the first player to move to Brazil from his base in Belgium. So he hardly trained with the team during their camping in Atlanta.

He flew to Brazil on the 24th of July ahead of Nigeria's first match which was played on the 5th of August against Japan. I expect him to be more stable against Sweden tonight as he should be more accustomed with his teammates by now.

My Prediction

Nigeria to book their place in the knockout stages.

Team News

Nigeria – possible XI: Akpeyi (GK) ; Shehu, Madu, Amuzie, Troost-Ekong ; Mikel, Etebo, Mohammed ; Junior, Ezekiel, Umar.

Sweden – possible XI: Linde (GK); Milosevic, Lundqvist, Konate, Nilsson; Tibbling, Khalili -Tankovic , Ajdarevic, Quaison; Ishak

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Mikel and co. boosted by Aminu Umar arrival

The Nigeria Olympic football team now has a full complement of all 18 players listed for the Rio Olympics following the arrival of striker Aminu Umar.

Umar, who plays for Osmanlispor in Turkey missed Nigeria’s opening day win over Japan due to club engagements but has now joined the rest of the squad at their base in Manaus, fcnaija.com can confirm.

There were fears the former Nigeria U20 striker would miss the Games outright after failing to join the Nigerian team in their training base in the United States of America, but his arrival now means Coach Samson Siasia now has a full complement of the 18 players on the main list.

Nigeria defeated Japan 5-4 in their first game in the early hours of Friday, despite arriving Brazil just over six hours to kick-off.

They are currently top of group B with maximum points after the first round of matches, and face Sweden on Sunday night in their second game of the competition.

The Dream Team, as the Nigerian Olympic team is called, won gold at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, and silver in Beijing in 2008.

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Senate To Probe U-23 Eagles Travel Controversy To Rio Olympics

Nigeria’s Senate President, Olusola Saraki, has categorically stated that the senate will investigate the controversy behind the U-23 team travel arrangement to the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Nigeria’s U-23 team were stranded in their Atlanta Georgia camp in the United States, before their final departure for Manaus, Brazil on match-day ahead of their game with Japan U-23 team; owing to wrong booking and lack of funds. Reacting via his twitter handle on Friday, Saraki assured that the issue won’t go unaddressed.

“Congratulations to the #Dream Team for the 5-4 win against Japan#Rio 2016. #Thank you Delta for making it possible for them to make the match,” Saraki reacted.

“Senate Committee on sports chaired by Senator Obinnna Ogba will look into the embarrassing situation that happened to the Dream Team V1. When minister of finance appeared in the senate three weeks ago, we raised the issue and she assured funds were released.” Meanwhile, Nigeria faces Sweden U-23 in their second Group B match on Sunday.

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President Buhari hails Dream Team’s victory. Says it was sweet

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his delight over the victory by the U-23 football over their opponents Japan.

According to Buhari the team “overcame all odds” to secure a memorable victory.

The Nigerian team arrived the venue of the match barely six hours before the game and little was expected from them, but the Samson Siasia tutored side defied all odds providing a sterling performance.

“On behalf of the government and people of our great country, I wish to express my support to our athletes who have arrived in Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games. I am particularly delighted by the outcome of the football match early this morning in which our football team defeated their Japanese counterparts.

“The sweetness of the victory comes from the fact that it came against all odds. Our team overcame several challenges to put up a sterling performance. This is a good beginning.

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Nigeria shakes off travel issues, defeats Japan in thrilling fashion. (#Olympics)

The days leading up to the start of the Olympic men’s soccer competition were really not smooth for Nigeria, disputes with the Nigerian Football Federation regarding items such as the payment of their bonuses and the size of the plane that was supposed to take them from Atlanta to Manaus became the major highlights. 

But Thursday morning things were finally sorted out, with the team arriving in Manaus just under seven hours before they were scheduled to face Japan in the group opener for both.

Turns out the Nigerians had plenty left in the tank, as they scored five goals in holding off the Japanese for a 5-4 victory in the final match of the day.

Prior to Thursday no Olympic men’s soccer player managed to register a hat trick in a match since Carlos Tevez did so in 2004 in Athens. That feat was accomplished twice in Brazil, with Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo becoming the second to do so. Etebo, who opened his account in the 11th minute, would go on to score four goals in the match. 

Nigeria’s Umar Sadiq tapped in a rebound given up by Japan keeper Masatoshi Kushibiki in the sixth minute to open the scoring, only to have Japan receive a penalty three minutes later. Shinzo Koroki converted the penalty in the ninth minute, with Etebo offering a reply two minutes later and Japan’s Takumi Minamino knotting the score at two goals apiece in the 13th minute.

Mikel was substituted in the 86th minute with Saliu Popoola

The teams would remain tied until the 42nd minute, when Etebo scored his second after a failed clearance by a Japanese fullback. Etebo’s first shot wasn’t all that strong, but the defender attempted to clear the ball with a header that fell right onto Etebo’s right foot.

Less than ten minutes later Nigeria was awarded a penalty after a foul in the area, Etebo stepped up to get his hat trick from the spot in the 51st minute. Etebo scored his fourth goal in the 65th minute, with Kushibiki’s clearance of a Nigerian cross being of poor quality. 

At that point it appeared as if Nigeria could pick its final tally, but to their credit Japan refused to quit. A goal from recent Arsenal signing Takuma Asano in the 70th minute made the score 5-3, with Musashi Suzuki pulling Japan to within a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Luckily for Nigeria their opponents ran out of time, .

Both teams return to action Sunday, with Nigeria taking on Sweden and Japan facing Colombia in a doubleheader in Manaus.

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Dream team arrives Manus just under seven hours before their match against Japan

The team finally arrived in Manaus, just under seven hours before their match against Japan is set to kick off. The question now is whether or not that will be enough time for the team to get over the jet lag that can come with such a long trip, and playing in the rain forest climate of Manaus likely won’t help with the adjustment either. But at least the Nigerians will be on the field when they’re supposed to be.

Nigeria, which won gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and Japan are joined in Group B by Sweden and Colombia. Among the players on the roster are Chelsea midfield Mikel John Obi, who takes up one of the three slots for overage players that each team is allowed.

Nigeria’s men’s soccer team  ran into a number of obstacles in the days leading up to their Olympic tournament opener against Japan, which is scheduled to begin at 2:00 am. Nigeria time. 

There have been disputes over payments from the Nigerian Football Federation and the size of the plane the team was originally expected to board to fly from Atlanta to Manaus, casting some doubt on whether the team would make their opening match.

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Rio Olympics 2016 Football: Match Preview Nigeria vs Japan

By Chinedu Laurel Okorodike  
Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit


Japan captured the AFC U-23 title last January by pulling off a come-from-behind victory over arch-rival South Korea, 3-2, in the final of the said tournament.

The Japanese U-23 squad had always been short of medals in the international arena and this summer is another opportunity to grab such elusive recognition. Group B is a tough group, but the Samurai Blue have the skills and  to go past the group stage.

This Japanese team actually dominated their qualifying group for the AFC U-23 Championship, dispatching Macau, Vietnam and Malaysia with ease by scoring ten goals across the three matches without conceding.

Head coach Makoto Teguramori will have 21-year-old Arsenal newly signed striker Takuma Asano as the central figure of his offense. His front line partner, Urawa Red Diamonds' Shinzo Koroki, is one of three overage players together with defenders Hiroki Fujiharu and Tsukasa Shiotani.

As for the Nigeria U-23 team, the Dream Team VI, they may have to dig deep for the desired result as they get their campaign off in the men’s football event against Japan at the Rio Olympics.

It is expected that Japan will be keen to see how they can cash on the myriad of crisis that has plagued the Nigerian team in the past days when both sides take to the pitch in the second Group B match of the Rio 2016 men’s football event.

Game time is Friday 2.am (Nigerian time) and unfortunately, the Dream Team VI arrived Manaus from Atlanta barely seven hours to the kick-off of the game billed for the Arena da Amazônia.

The flawed travel arrangement may work in favour of the Japanese who have since been on ground and are known for their fast tempo style have the potential to run the Nigeria team ragged.

Coach Samson Siasia, who helped Nigeria to a silver medal the last time the country featured in the Olympics, will need to psyche up his team very well if they are to avoid a disastrous start in Rio.

The Dream Team are going to be skippered by Chelsea’s veteran midfielder John Obi Mikel, who at age 29 is one of the three overage players in the Nigeria team.  Mikel was just nine years Old when a team featuring Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha shocked the world by beating Brazil and Argentina on their way to becoming the first African nation to be crowned champions back in 1996.

Mikel is joined by 30-year-old starting goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, who was the senior team’s backup goal tender, and midfielder Usman Muhammed as the squad’s experienced players.

Head to Head: Nigeria vs Japan in the Olympics

Mexico 1986: Nigeria 1-3 Japan
Atlanta 1996: Nigeria 2-0 Japan
Beijing 2008: Nigeria 2-1 Japan

Possible Line Up

Nigeria starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Akpeyi; Madu, Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Amuzie; Etebo, Mikel, Okechukwu, Muhammed; Ajayi, Ezekiel

Japan starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Kushibiki; Muroya, Endo, Fujiharu, Shiotani; Nakajima, Kubo, Nakamura, Ideguchi; Koroki, Asano

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We Are Suffering In America, I Have Not Been Paid For 5 Months - Coach Samson Siasia

Head coach of Nigeria’s U-23 team, Samson Siasia, has revealed that he is being owed salaries for five months, by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Siasia is currently in Atlanta, Georgia with his squad, as they continue to prepare for next month’s Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

“We are suffering in Atlanta. We have not received any money since we arrived this training camp. I have not been paid for the past five months,” Siasia said.

“We will not hold the country to ransom by threatening not to play our matches, but the government has to come to our rescue.

“I know that by the time the Olympics will be over, our monies will not be paid.”

The Dream Team VI are scheduled to fly to Brazil from USA on yesterday

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