23rd August, 2016
The President of Nigeria Union, South Africa, Ikechukwu Anyene has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to use the Dream team V1 to prosecute the 2018 World Cup qualifying matches.
Anyene told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone from Pretoria, South Africa, on Tuesday that the players and others doing well at home and abroad should be used for the qualifying matches.
“The Nigerian community in South Africa are proud of these boys. They really showed the Nigerian fighting spirit as they overcame all challenges to win the only medal for the country in the just concluded Olympic Games.
“I suggest that the NFF should use them and others in mould of Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and other players doing well to play the World Cup qualifying matches. I am optimistic they will make a formidable team,” he said.
The President of Arewa, South Africa, Nimram Longbap-Longs, commended the team for doing the nation proud in the Rio Olympic Games.
“The players defied all odds to do the nation proud. They deserve our commendation and they should be encouraged to do more,” he said.
Segun Oyabanji, Vice Chairman of the Union, Limpopo Province, said that the Dream Team V1 persevered and sacrificed to win the bronze medal for Nigeria.
“The players did not allow challenges affect their work rate. This is really commendable and I think that the NFF should use them for future national and international games,” he said.
Bartholomew Eziagulu, Chairman of the Union, KwazuluNatal Province, said Nigerians in the area rejoiced when the team won the bronze in Brazil.
“The players really showed the typical Nigerian fighting spirit by working hard to overcome Honduras in the third place match.
“Nigerians in KwazuluNatal Province of South Africa were happy with this victory. We rejoiced and celebrated the team,” he said.
Kennedy Osagie, immediate past Chairman of the Union in Northern Cape Province, said the team had been consistent after winning the African championship in Senegal.
“I have followed this team since they won the championship and qualified to play in Brazil. I commend Coach Sampson Siasia for raising the team and instilling discipline in them.
“It is not easy for any team to go through their ordeal and do well. They have done the nation proud and should be celebrated,” he said.
Chicaodili Nwannedo, new Chairman of the Union in Northern Cape Province, called on the NFF to keep the team together for future tournaments.
“There is a need for continuity and the NFF should keep these boys together. I believe they will blend with others and form a strong national team,” he said.
Fidelis Igbokwe, the Johannesburg based ICT expert, said the Dream Team brought honour to Africa with the bronze medal win.
“I say this because Nigeria had won the gold, silver and now bronze in the Olympic Games. No other African country has achieved this feat except Nigeria and same Dream Team.
“The team deserve commendation for doing Africa proud in the just concluded Olympic Games. “They should be honoured and I suggest that they be kept together as a team for future engagements, especially the World Cup qualifying matches,” he said.