The no-love-lost relationship between the U-23 Olympic team camp and the Minister of Sports and Youth Development has reached a boiling point and they have told him in clear terms, they don’t want to see him in their camp.
Siasia-Dalung
The players who are aiming to go pass Germany tomorrow in one of the semi finals of the men’s football event of the Rio Games have begged not to be distracted by officials of Team Nigeria.
Specifically, they insisted that they don’t want the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, and his delegation anywhere near their dressing room before and during the match to avoid unnecessary distractions.
“We are set for the semi final clash with Germany. We have perfected our game plan to qualify for the final and win the gold medal for Nigeria like our 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games colleagues,” hinted one of the top players Monday night.
Despite the apology by Dalung for the shabby manner his ministry treated the team during their training tour of Atlanta, USA, the player insisted that it was difficult for them to forget the scandalous scenario before achieving the feat of reaching the semi final.
Dream Team players and officials were stranded for three days before being airlifted by American Delta Airline to Manaus, venue of their first group game against Japan.
