Nigeria have
been drawn in Group B in the 2016 Rio Olympic Men’s Football Tournament along
with 1948 winners Sweden and Japan and Colombia.The draw was done Thursday at the Maracana and was witnessed by many top football personalities including Dream Team VI coach, Samson Siasia.
Nigeria was
placed in Pot 2 and by the guidelines could not face another team from the same
Confederation – Algeria and South Africa – but the Africa Champions got quite
tricky ties.
Against
Japan in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Jay Jay Okocha scored the
winning goal after Tijani Babangida had given the Dream Team the lead late in
the 82nd minute.
However, on
this occasion Japan, who have qualified for 9 previous editions, finished in
fourth place at the last Games in London.
Samson
Siasia’s men will join the Olympic family for the fiesta as Champions of Africa
and should also line up as one of the hot favorites.
Sweden and
Japan will be making their 10th appearances at the Olympic Games Men’s Football
Tournament. Nigeria’s will be 7 – with a gold and silver to show in the last
six -, while Colombia will be making its 5th appearance.
The Men’s
tournament kicks off August 4th between hosts Brazil and one of Africa’s flag
bearers, South Africa’s Amaglug-glug at the Estadio Mane Garrincha in Brasilia.
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