Nigeria have vowed to attack the Republic of the Congo in their Pointe-Noire fortress this weekend and move closer to a seventh Olympic Games soccer appearance.
The west African side take a fragile 2-1 lead into the second leg of a third-round qualifier for the Rio de Janeiro Games next year and coach Samson Siasia has revealed his game plan.
“We will attack because we want to win in Congo — not avoid defeat,” the 47-year-old former national team striker told reporters.
A draw will suffice to take the Dream Team to the final African qualification stage — an eight-nation tournament in Senegal with the top three finishers securing tickets to Brazil.
However, the Congo, guided by famed French coach Claude Le Roy, can eliminate Nigeria on away goals by winning 1-0 at the Stade Municipal in the Atlantic oil hub.
Siasia and Le Roy can offer strong arguments as to why the Dream Team or the Red Devils will succeed.
Nigeria excelled on the road this year in All-Africa Games qualifiers — which are also restricted to under-23 players — winning 4-1 in Gabon and 2-1 in Zambia.
Taiwo Owiniyi was the two-goal savior in Zambia, but only appeared as a second-half substitute against the Congo because he was not fully fit.
Siasia boasted: “I have been in difficult situations with the Dream Team before and have always emerged victorious.”
Backed by a 40,000 full house in Port Harcourt, Nigeria ran the Congo ragged, but woeful finishing prevented the hosts from building a commanding lead.
Instead, Moise Nkounkou grabbed a precious away goal after Junior Ajayi struck twice within seven minutes soon after halftime.
The Zambia-Ivory Coast, South Africa-Zimbabwe and Tunisia-Morocco ties are also delicately balanced, while Egypt and Mali should progress at the expense of Uganda and Gabon respectively.
Zambia must do without defender Boyd Mkandawire, who was red-carded during a goalless first leg in Abidjan, and be wary having held Nigeria away in the All-Africa Games only to fall at home.
South Africa, angered by what they said was a “home-town decision” that earned Zimbabwe a penalty and an undeserved 1-1 draw, warmed up for the return game with an impressive 2-0 victory over Rwanda.
“It has been a long time [15 years] since South Africa last competed at the Olympics football tournament, and I think this team has what it takes to reach Rio,” coach Owen Da Gama said.
Dominant Morocco could build only a 1-0 home lead over Tunisia, while Mali, who will be without suspended leading scorer Adama Niane, have home advantage and a 1-0 lead against Gabon.
Only a miraculous comeback can save Uganda after a 4-0 drubbing in Egypt, with Kahraba, whose real name is Mahmoud Abdel Moneim, the two-goal destroyer-in-chief.
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