Rio 2016: Dream Team VI get Japan, Colombia, Sweden draw

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.