The Speaker of The House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has sent a passionate appeal to the national U23 team styled Dream Team V1, not to boycott its quarter final encounter against Denmark on Saturday, at the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympics.
Dogara, who was speaking against the backdrop of complaints of Team’s Head Coach, Samson Yebowei Siaisia, that the players of the team have refused to train and may boycott the tie due to unpaid allowances and wages said the Dream Team should take patriotism as a fulcrum of their campaign, as he will personally do everything within his powers to intervene in the matter.
He said the team with the likes of John Mikel Obi, Yakubu Umar, Oghenekaro Etebor and William Troost-Ekong has a very bright chance of repeating the feat of the Atlanta ’96 Dream Team led by the legendary Nwankwo Kanu and the team should be encouraged by all Nigerians.
“We will do all we can to ensure that all entitlements due to the team are paid, as we are already talking to relevant government agencies”, Dogara declared.
He noted that football being the major unifying factor in the country should be maximized by all for Nigeria’s continued joy and unity. “We will stop at nothing to ensure that we get the team to excel in Brazil and for Nigeria to recreate the watershed of Atlanta ’96.”
Nigeria Vs Denmark: Etebo still a major doubtful
Nigeria are sweating on the fitness of four-goal hero against Japan Oghenekaro Etebo after he suffered hamstring injury in the team’s final group game against Colombia.
 
“Etebo suffered a hamstring injury and he is now a major doubt for the quarterfinal against Denmark on Saturday,” a team official informed AfricanFootball.com
 
Etebo was forced out of the game late in the Colombia game and Nigeria were forced to finish the game with 10 men as coach Samson Siasia had used up all his substitutions.
 
Nigeria’s injury problems were further worsened after Al Ahly new signing Junior Ajayi was reportedly injured in training before the Colombia match.
 
Kick-off time for Saturday’s showdown against Denmark is by 8pm Nigerian time.