Nigeria U23 Players Plan Strike in Rio over Total Neglect

Nigeria U23 Players Plan Strike in Rio over Total Neglect

Nigeria’s Olympic football adventure at Rio 2016 Olympics could be a total disaster as the national U23 team are planning a boycott over complete abandonment by the authorities, Vanguard reports.

This was disclosed by head coach Samson Siasia who said the boys have not received a dime for over a month in camp, and that morale is at the lowest since he’s been with the lads.

“The morale in camp is low, the boys are unhappy and I fear, the poor situation could boomerang during the Games,” Siasia said.

“Since we began camping about a month now, the players have not been given a dime as camp allowances and for us the coaches, it will be five months of no salaries in August. Certainly, this is not the best way to prepare a team for a major tournament like the Olympics.”

“It has been terrible. The boys are disappointed. I am praying that we avoid a situation similar to that witnessed before the Confederation Cup and during the World Cup in Brazil where there was players’ agitation

 “We will not hold the country to ransom by threatening not to play our matches, but the government has to come to our rescue. “I know that by the time the Olympics will be over, our monies will not be paid.”

Government had earlier denied knowledge of the team’s United States trip, with Siasia sourcing for funds from the private sector to ensure they travelled for the necessary pre-games camping.

“After a month-long camping in the US, through which they stayed under very poor conditions not befitting of a Nigerian national team, the anger in the players may overflow and they may fight back with the threat of a strike as their first option,” a source at the U23 camp disclosed.

It appears a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari for funds to be released to Team Nigeria has yet to be effected seven days to the commencement of the Games.