U-23 AFCON: Siasia describes team’s group as ‘tough’

Samson Siasia, Head Coach of the Dream Team VI, on Monday described as “tough” Nigeria’s pairing with Egypt, Mali and Algeria in Group B of the U-23 Africa Nations Cup billed for Senegal.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from November 28 to December 12 at the Senegalese cities of Dakar and M’Bour.
The result of the draw was released on Monday at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, as the championship’s top three teams will fly Africa’s flag at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A statement posted on the website of the Nigeria Football Federation reported Siasia as saying that none of the team in the group was a pushover.
He was quoted as saying: “For now, my concentration is on the semi-final game against Burkina Faso at the ongoing African Games in Congo Brazzaville.
“But I must confess that this group is tough; all the teams in the group have a pedigree that cannot be over looked.
“However, I can assure Nigerians that we will pick one of the tickets for the football event of the Rio Olympic Games.”
Siasia was also reported as saying that he would be scouting around Europe to beef-up the team.
He said: “I will set up discussions with Kelechi Iheanacho, Imoh Ezekiel, among other top strikers that I will need for the striking position at the championship in Senegal and the Olympics.
“Only the best legs who are willing to play for the country are good enough for the team.”