By Victor Enyinnaya on August 24, 2016

Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia, said he has put behind him all the hiccups that tried to work against him and the team towards the build-up for the just concluded Rio 2016 Olympic Games and thanks the numerous fans of the game and the Federal Government for their assistance and support, which was the reason for the bronze medal the team finally settled for.

He made the revelation shortly on arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, stating that the team was the greatest asset he had throughout the Olympics football summit. The football tactician advised that the country should work serious for Tokyo 2020, rather than the usual lip service its sports administrators are known for.

Siasia added that he has put behind him what acted as set back before and during the Rio 2016 Games, as he has to face squarely the next duty he would be assigned.

“We all know that Rio 2016 Olympic Games has become history, therefore all the actions and inactions that attained it should be regarded same. I have equally regarded all the fulfilled and the unfulfilled strategies towards doing it in grand style in the Games as bye gone.  I am one that detests crying over spilled milk. We have participated and came home with what God bestowed on us.”

“Though, it was not what we bargained for. I have no hard feelings against anybody or group of people than to urge us to strive harder to forge ahead for the next Games in 2020.  In the football event for instance, our opponents from the group stage to the third place match were no pushovers. We took them on and the bravery of the boys was instrumental to our strength,” he stated.         

The ex-international further revealed how the boys and their crew resolved to face only the positives than look the other way round. “The spirit in the camp was so high throughout the football event. It was why the team set the tone from Japan to Honduras.

“I will continue to appeal that we wake up from our deep slumber and get our acts together for the next Games. Nigeria has no business struggling from the rear in any major international sporting meet. Before now there are sports that were sure bet for us, but look at now all these have been sadly, eroded. It can be rebuilt if we give our concentrated and frank shot to them,” he rues.

It would be recalled that the bronze medal by the U-23 Eagles team proved to be the only medal the country hauled after the Games was declared closed last Sunday.

•Photo shows Coach Samson Siasia.

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 24, 2016

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