Nigeria’s U23 national football team will today battle European champions Sweden in group B’s second game at the ongoing Rio Olympics Games in Brazil.
Samson Siasia’s side top the group after a 5-4 win over Japan on day one while today’s opponents Sweden could only muster a 2-2 draw against South American team Columbia.
Manager Siasia is expected to name an unchanged side for the Swedish clash which kicks off at 11pm Nigerian time with four goals hero Oghenekaro Etebo and AS Roma’s Sadiq Umar names first on the team list.
MeanwhileOghenekaroEtebo said his target is to win Olympic Gold in Rio and not necessarily emerge as the tournament’s goal king after he plundered four goals against Japan in Nigeria’s opening group game.
Man of the match against Japan, Etebo said: “Scoring all the goals in this competition and not winning the gold medal would have amounted to a waste of effort and that’s not my target.
“Yes, it would be great to see my efforts contributing to the success of the team, but if it will not lead us to the gold, then I don’t want it.”
Speaking further, Etebo disclosed that the motivating factor in the team is coach Siasia who has played the role of a father to the players even in times when they don’t believe they can do it, and added that the players are motivated to win for him.
Calling on Nigerians to continue to support them, the Portugal-based forward said they are happy to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians who they know stay awake all night to watch them play.