2015 All Africa Games: It's gold or nothing for Nigeria

Nigeria’s Under-23 team will start their quest for the gold medal in the football event of the All Africa Games taking place in Congo today when they take on Ghana.

Nigeria hasn’t had much success in the competition of late and one will remember Cairo ‘91 when Emmanuel Amuneke led an exciting band of footballers to clinch the bronze.

Samson Siasia and his wards will have their hands full when they take on reigning champions Ghana in their first match at the games.

Ghana played out a goalless draw with Senegal in the first game of the group while Nigeria had a bye because Egypt, whom the team was to face, withdrew from the competition.

Led by Okechukwu Azubuike, Siasia has a team capable of wining the gold medal, but getting on the podium won’t be a walk in the park and they have to start on a good note against a strong Ghana side.

The team will miss the services of Shehu Abdullahi of AC Madeira of Portugal and Godwin Savior of KVV Oostende who were not released by their clubs, while Taiwo Awoniyi has been excused to settle down at his new employers Liverpool FC.

Coach Samson Siasia told supersport.com before the team departed for the games that he has players who can do the nation proud despite missing several key players

“We have a team capable of winning the gold medal for Nigeria,” Siasia said.

The heat is on for Siasia as expectations are high.

“It’s true we are going to miss some players but we have enough to help us do the job, we promise to do our best.”he added.

Siasia will hope the likes of Junior Ajayi, Oghenekaro Etebor and Aminu Umar from Turkish side Osmanlispor to propel the team moving forward while Seun Oduduwa and Seth Sincere will hold forth at the back.

The former Super Eagles’ player has a good record against Ghana at this level as he led the Under-23 side in 2007 to defeat Ghana 3-2 on aggregate to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.