Nigeria’s Dream Team VI will on Wednesday night (tonight) into the wee hours of Thursday battle Colombia for maximum points in their final group game against Colombia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.
With two wins from two games for the Dream Team, Siasia’s side have established an unassailable lead at the top of the standings and will advance to the quarterfinal as group winners.
This game therefore is a mere formality for the Nigerians who will likely rest some key men to keep them fresh for a potential knockout round tie against hosts, Brazil.
For Colombia, this is an important must-win clash if they are to advance beyond the group stage.
Los Cafeteros sit in second place with two points, but know that only a win will suffice if they are to fend off the threat of Japan and Sweden, both of whom have one point apiece.
Meanwhile, Dream Team VI handler, Samson Siasia, plans to rest some of his regulars against the Los Cafeteros.
“I had to take this decision because we have qualified for the quarter finals as group leaders, and secondly I need to rest some of the starters because in the next phase there is a possibility of going into extra time,” he pointed out.
Siasia is expected to rest Captain Mikel Obi; four goals hero, Etebo Oghenekaro; and the enterprising AS Roma attacker, Sadiq Umar, who scored in the team’s first two games.
After starting with the same line-up in the team’s first two games, Enugu Rangers goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel, is expected to make way for experienced Daniel Akpeyi, while Junior Ajayi, Aminu Umar, Sodiq Popoola will be hoping for their first start.
Nigeria will play the second placed team in Group A in the quarter finals.
Brazil, Denmark, South Africa and Iraq still have a chance of qualifying.
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