Nigeria Olympic team coach Samson Siasia has said the focus is to beat Germany on Wednesday to qualify for the Gold medal match, while praising his defence for holding out against “a very, very good” Denmark.
Permutations have pitch Nigeria against hosts Brazil in the Gold medal match, but Siasia has insisted his team have to first eliminate Germany to reach the final. “I don’t want to worry about Brazil right now. I have the semi-final against Germany to think about and that is the only thing in my mind right now. After crossing the Germany hurdle, we will think of our opponents for the gold medal match,” Siasia said. “We saw what the Brazilians did to the Danish team (4-0); they are a very good side.
They didn’t start well but the most important thing is how well you end. It’s not easy scoring four goals against this Danish team. “We have gone through a lot on this journey and we cannot get to the gold medal match and then freeze.”
The coach singled out his defence for keeping a clean sheet after fears they may buckle against a rampant Denmark attack. “We were actually worried about our defence, but they came out and played very, very well against a good Danish team,” he commended. “I think these guys have to be applauded coming out like that, and getting those two goals. It wasn’t an easy game but I am happy we are in the semi-finals.”
