Nigeria’s U-23 men’s team coached by Samson Siasia will know their opponents for the Rio 2016 Olympics Football Event when the draw is held on April 14.
FIFA said in a statement yesterday, that the iconic Maracana stadium will host the draw for the Olympic Football Tournaments on that date, with the the men’s and women’s finals for the gold medal scheduled to hold on August 19 and August 20 respectively.
Nigeria did not qualify for the women’s tournament. The 16 teams in the men’s tournament, including hosts Brazil and 2012 champions, Mexico, will be drawn into four groups, and the 12 women’s teams, including hosts Brazil and 2012 champions, USA, will be drawn into three groups.
Just one spot remains in the men’s tournament, with Colombia and USA playing off in March to complete the line-up.
In the women’s tournament, the final five teams to qualify will all be known by March 9, 2016. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s coach, Siasia, is sad that his Olympic Games preparations have not taken off as scheduled.
Answering questions from journalists in Abuja yesterday, Siasia expressed disappointment that the programme could not take off last week due to lack of funds.
Asked when his programme will start, the former Super Eagles manager replied, “Well, I don’t know yet because NFF is working directly with the National Sports Commission.
“We are trying to get where to stay for now. We want to start camping, that is why I have been here all day. “Because we have this game in Brazil and we don’t want to miss it.We want to send invitations to players that is why I am here to explain to them that if we miss the FIFA window we would not be able to see the guys that want to see.
“I want to see players like Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and Liverpool’s Seyi Ojo, but I am afraid their teams may be reluctant to release them.” Siasia added,
“Hopefully, we will start before the end of the week. We ought to have started last week.”
Reports suggest that the friendly games between the Nigeria’s U-23 team and Brazil is scheduled for March 24 and 28th on the invitation of the Brazilians.