6th April, 2011
As you read this, Nigeria’s U-23 team known as Dream Team V must have left their Constatial Hotel camp, Benin, Edo State, for Lagos, Southwest Nigeria ahead of the second leg of their London 2012 Olympic Games qualifier against Equatorial Guinea, which holds this weekend in Malabo.
Three members of the team: Kingsley Udoh, Nnamdi Odumadi and Oladele Ajiboye stated that their mission to Malabo is to consolidate on their first leg’s success.
The trio played pivotal roles in the first leg of the encounter, when they walloped their opponents 5-0 in the match played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Edo State, a fortnight ago.
But in separate interviews with P.M Sports, the players declared that it is not yet time for them to celebrate.
The first leg of the clash saw the team making a giant step towards their qualification for the soccer event of the Olympic, which Nigeria won in 1996 in Atlanta, United States of America, USA.
The Dream Team V are expected to move to neighbouring Benin Republic by road on Friday after which they would hit Malabo for the reverse fixture slated for Sunday
For the trio, the match against Equatorial Guinea would not be treated with kid-gloves as only victory would make them fulfill their dreams.
First to speak was A.C Milan of Italy forward, Odumadi, who was a thorn in the flesh of the Guineans in the first leg with his mesmerizing runs on the flank.
He said their mission to Malabo is to complete the routing, which they started in Benin, stressing that the entire team have resolved to approach the reverse fixture as if they lost the first leg.
“Defeating our opponents 5-0 in the first leg in Nigeria does not mean that we should go to sleep, We are not there yet, we are going to Malabo with the aim of defeating them in front of their home fans, not minding the changes that their technical crew must have effected,†Odumadi said.
Udoh, who was part of the Golden Eagles that lifted the South Korea 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup under the tutelage of the late Deacon Yemi Tella, stated that no matter the the antics or prowess of the attackers of the hosts , he and the other defenders would leave nothing to chance on Sunday.
“We are not going to Malabo for jamboree but to beat them. Although we are going into the match with a 5-goal advantage, we will not allow that to get into our heads, even the defenders are ready to keep the attackers at bayâ€
Also corroborating the stands of his teamates goalkeeper Ajiboye, who plies his trade with Pontevedra Football Club of Spain, said he won’t be carried away with the result of the first leg but to remain focus because any slip may spell doom for their quest of playing at the Olympic, which holds next year.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen Football Club of Scotland winger, Omatsone Aluko, had been invited to play in the match.
Coach of the team, Austin Eguavoen added Aluko’s name amongst eleven other players , who would be on parade on Sunday.
Others invited for the match are: OPS of Finland player Arinze Ikenna, Micheal Essang of Estudiantil Sanducero and Eke Uzoma, Armina Bielefeld.
Monaco of France’s Haruna Lukman; Obiora Nwankwo, Parma Italy and Orelesi Nurudeen of Dinamo Tirana, Albania. (Reports has it that the trio may not be released by the clubs because they have matches at the weekend) Odion Igalo of Granada Spain;
Uchechi Chima of Leicester city England; Micheal Essang of Estudiantil Sanducero Uruguay; Eke Uzoma Armina Bielefeld, Germany; Ibok Edet Athletico Baleares, Spain
and Arinze Ikenna OPS FC, Finland.
—Adebobola Alawode