Nigeria’s dream to play male soccer at the Rio Olympics may blow up in smoke today if the country’s under-23 side fail to beat Algeria and Egypt defeat Mali with a clear two goals in the final group B matches.
Both games hold at the same time, with Nigeria battling Algeria in Dakar while the contest between Egypt and Mali comes up in Mbour.
Egypt, currently on third position with two points, need to beat Mali, who have knocked out of the tournament, with at least two clear goals to seal their place in the last four-stage. Should they get their desired results, Egypt, who drew 1-1 with Algeria and forced Nigeria to a 2-2 stalemate, will finish on five points and may qualify for the next round, depending on the result of the Nigeria, Algerian clash.
Algeria and Nigeria are joint top, with the former staying top because of their superior goals difference, which may count in their favour at the end of today’s proceedings should they get at least a draw with Nigeria in today;s final round robin games.
These are indeed desperate times for the Coach Samson Siasia-tinkered Nigerian side, who are must beat Algeria to guarantee their passage to the next round. A Nigerian win will not only secure top place for them, as well as ensure that they will play the second best side in Group A. Any other result than a victory will see them crash out of the tournament and miss out on a place to play at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Admitting that they face an onerous challenge against Algeria, Coach Siasia has warned his boys to be careful in today’s cracker with the north Africans. “We did not play in the second half and we cannot continue like this, if we want to go to the Olympics. We have to be careful. We tend to lose concentration in the second half and have to fix it. It was the case in the first game against Mali and the same thing happened against Egypt.
“It is no longer funny. It will be a tough battle against Algeria, and we have to be careful about the North African sides, they attack left and right.’’
