The Super Falcons and the Nigeria U-23 side, Dream Team, have mere academic exercises against fellow West Africans Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal at the 11th All-Africa Games in Brazzaville on Saturday.
Having swept to six maximum points in their previous two matches against host Congo and Tanzania, with a seven-goal advantage, the Super Falcons take on Cote d’Ivoire will a relaxed mind knowing they are already in the semi finals.
The U-23 boys at a training session in Brazzaville
The U-23 boys at a training session in Brazzaville
Like the Falcons, the Dream Team have benefitted from the withdrawal of Egypt, which means they are already in the semi finals after just one match – an impressive 2-0 win over Ghana’s Black Meteors on Wednesday.
On Saturday, the Falcons will take on the Ivorian girls at the Stade l’Unite 3 in Brazzaville – the same venue where the Dream Team spanked the Black Meteors mid-week.
On their part, Siasia’s U-23 boys need only afford defeat against Senegal to finish top of Group B of the men’s tournament, the Senegalese having drawn 0-0 with eliminated Ghana in their first match last weekend.
Meanwhile, Dream Team skipper Azubuike Okechukwu has assured Nigerians back home that the target of the team is to go all out against Senegal so as to come out tops in the group.
Speaking after the team’s training session on Thursday, the Dream Team captain who is based in Turkey said for now, based on the form displayed by the team against the Black Meteors of Ghana, the initial anxiety is now over and they have finally settled down to the objective of doing the nation proud.
U-23 AAG2
“Having qualified for the semi finals we are going all out to  top the group, so we have to avoid defeat against the Senegalese.” On his expectations in the semi finals, Okechukwu said the team’s intention is to  take each game as it comes. He stated that the gold medal is the ultimate as  he didn’t come all the way from Turkey to take anything less than Gold.
Meanwhile, Dream Team defender Sincere Seth sat out Thursday’s training session due to a knock he received in the game against the Ghanaians and for now, the technical crew has put him on a 50/50 chance to play against Senegal. Daniel Etor, who was substituted in the game after receiving a knock against Ghana, was back on his feet in training.
NFF Admin
Author: NFF Admin

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