Dream Team IV in must-win situation - Faces South Africa today - Beijing Olympic qualifier - Minister offers cash incentive

By Saliu Gbadamosi - 26.03.2008

Dream Team IV defender, Onyekachi ApamNIGERIA'S Dream Team IV today faces South Africa's Amaglug-glug in a game that the Samson Siasia-tutored side must win to qualify for this year's Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Nigerians expect the team not only to qualify for the Beijing Olympics but also re-enact the Atlanta '96 feat when the Nigerian U-23 team, against all odds, won the football event gold medal, beating 'heavyweights', Brazil and Argentina in the process.

Nigeria needs an outright win over the South Africans today to pip Ghana’s Meteors to the sole Group 4 ticket. The Ghanaian U-23 team has seven points as against Nigeria's five.

A win for the Siasia-led team means Nigeria will pick the ticket with an eight-point finish.

Meanwhile, the Dream Team will be richer by four thousand dollars each should the team beat the South Africans today.

Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC) Alhaji Abdulraham Gimba made this pledge after watching the team’s last training session yesterday ahead of today’s match billed for the Abuja National Stadium.

Alhaji Gimba, who was in company of NSC Director General, Dr. Amos Adamu, Chairman, Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Sani Lulu, NFA’s Technical Committee Chairman, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi and Engr. Habu Gumel, Chairman, Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), urged the players to do the nation proud by beating the South Africans.

Head coach, Siasia has assembled the country's best in the U-23 category, including foreign-based Victor Anichebe, Taye Taiwo, Chinedu Ogbuke, Isaac Promise, Olufemi Ajilore, Kennedy Chinwo, Adefemi Olubayo, Solomon Abwo, Martins Ekwueme, Dele Adeleye, Jeremiah Ani, Elderson Echiejile, Obiora Anorue, Tunde and Jide Ogunbiyi for today's tie.

However, Obinna Nsofor is not eligible after receiving a second yellow card in the away tie against Ghana’s Black Meteors in Accra in last November.