Amuneke tips Dream Team to beat Congo

Former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke has charged the Nigeria U23 team to have self-belief as they aim to conquer their Congolese counterparts for a place at the second edition of the CAF U23 championship on Sunday.

Amuneke, a member of the Olympic gold medal winning U23 team of 1996, known as the Dream Team 1, believes the current U23 team, known as the Dream Team VI, has shown they are a good side but must show more belief in themselves.

“We watched the first game and they (Nigeria U23) played very well and they showed they have a good team. They scored a couple of goals but unfortunately the Congolese scored to reduce the deficit.

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Oliseh says Nigeria don't have top players

Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh says the Nigeria National team don't have top players playing for top clubs, in various European leagues.

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The 40-year-old made this known in an interview on Fifa.com, where he also admitted that even though he finally felt ready for the job, he hesitated to accept the challenging offer.

Nigeria currently boast two players Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel, both not regulars at English Premier League team Chelsea, as they are top ‎players in a top club but, Oliseh says he is hopeful they can fashion out a winning formula with the potentials in the team.

Sunday Oliseh

“To coach Nigeria is not the easiest job in the world and one is only as good as the players. Nigeria at the moment has a lot of potential, but we don't have a lot of confirmed players in the top clubs in the top leagues, so taking over the national team now means we have to remake the whole team and introduce a new philosophy of playing style, culture and mentality," he said.

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Siasia picks 20 for battle of Pointe Noire

Head Coach of the U23 National Team, Samson Siasia has selected 20 players for the team's crucial African U-23 Championship qualifier against Congo in Pointe Noire on Sunday.

Addressing the players after their last practice match played at the FIFA/NFF Goal Project in Abuja, which the team won 3-0, Coach Siasia said all the players are good enough to make the trip, but it is impossible for everyone to be in Congo for the battle.

Taiwo Awoniyi

Charging those left out to continue to work on their game and pray for the success of the team in the big match, Siasia assured that the focus of the team is to go to Congo and do the nation proud.

"For those of you selected, this is a golden opportunity for you to show to Nigerians and the world that your first leg victory was not a flash in the pan, and as such you must fight hard when we get to Pointe Noire and beat the Congolese."

The selected players are: