Tunde Sulaiman
26 August 2008
Beijing — Victor Ikpeba, a member of Atlanta '96 Olympic football gold medal winning squad yesterday described Nigeria's performance at the just ended Games as worthy of commendation, insisting that nobody gave the boys the chance of even making it to the final.
The former Super Eagles player whose brilliance in the round leather game earned him the 'Prince of Monaco' sobriquet by French media, said that he was delighted by the sheer gut exhibited by the players despite the not too tidy preparation to the tournament.
"They did great for Nigeria. The Dream Team IV players were not intimidated playing mighty Argentina in the final. They truly deserved the gold not the silver," observed the Edo born ex international now into private business after quitting the game.
Ikpeba was emphatic in his suggestion that the core of the team should form the senior Eagles that will campaign at the World Cup in 2010.
"These boys are the future of Nigeria's football. I am happy that majority of them are already commanding shirts in the Super Eagles," stressed the former Monaco of France player.
He however warned that despite the good run recorded by Coach Shaibu Amodu in the run-in to the 2010 World Cup Nigeria should not regard any country paired with it in the next round as push over.
"As you already know, there are no push over or minnows in African football any more. That is why we must do everything to get it right for the next World Cup," concludes Ikpeba.
Similarly, Ikpeba's skipper in the Atlanta squad, Nwankwo Kanu, has called on all Nigerians to give the silver winners from Beijing a befitting welcome home.
Kanu said Nigerians should consider the fact that over 204 countries affiliated to FIFA entered for the football event of the Olympics and for the team to place second, "It is not a mean achievement.
"They should be welcome as heroes", said Kanu in a telephone conversation from London .
He said the achievement of the players shows that Nigeria has a pool of talent who will make the country proud at the next editions of the African Nations Cup and the World Cup.
"They are ready to step into our shoes", and this is good for Nigeria .
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