All three players departed for their bases immediately after the Dream Team returned to its Alafifa Hotel base from the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor on Saturday night.
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One of the star performers in the squad, Emmanuel Daniel, told PREMIUM TIMES that they were proud to be heading to the Olympic Games as African champions even as he promised that they would not relent as the task ahead is quite bigger than their present feat.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Football Federation has announced that the team would be arriving in Nigeria on Monday.
Siasia’s wards won a first Africa U-23 title after edging out Algeria 2-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Saturday.
According to the President, the players have worked incredibly and admirably so hard to bring national glory to Nigeria.
He said his administration would give them every support and active encouragement to excel in future.
“From how we prepared, we did not deserve to win anything”.
The Under 23 team, led by Samson Siasia already was plagued with various challenges after most foreign clubs declined releasing their players for the tournament since it is not on the FIFA Calendar.
“It was not easy for us taking into considerations the teams we met in the first and second round”.
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“I am aware the team did not blend at the commencement of the championship, but they showed character and tactical discipline to win the event”, he said.
