Head coach of Nigeria’s Under-23 team, Samson Siasia   is not worried about the prospect of facing Congo in the third qualifying round of the men’s football event of the 2016 Olympic Games.

NOT A LAUGHING MATTER – Siasia

Nigeria’s Dream Team XI drew bye in the penultimate round and will now meet Ghana’s conquerors, Congo in the penultimate round of qualifying for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Siasia was coach of Nigeria’s men’s football team at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and is relishing the upcoming battle with Congo.

“Siasia knew that we would face either Ghana or Congo in this round and he had no particular preference. Now that Congo has qualified, he is prepared for the challenge,” spokesman of the team, Timi Ebikagboro said.

Siasia recently called up 30 home-based players to camp ahead of the tie against Congo and Ebikagboro explained that a second list would be made public this month.

“There are two lists. To be honest, a bulk of the players included in (the 30-man list) are comprised of players the coach (Siasia) has not seen play himself.

“His scouting network is however very strong and that is how he got wind of the players and their abilities.

“The coach will now have a look at these players and see what they can do,” he said.

He added that with the conclusion of the Fifa Under-20 World Cup which kicked off on May 30 in New Zealand, players of the Nigerian team at the tournament would be integrated into the team.

“After the Under-20 World Cup, all the players in that team automatically become members of the Dream Team VI (Nigeria’s under-23s).

“The 30 players invited so far would have been reduced at that time as the number has to be pruned down to a more manageable figure.

“The foreign pros who are part of our programme and who are expected to be on vacation at that time will also be brought in.

“Hopefully, we should have a full house by the end of June,” he said.

Siasia was head coach when Nigeria won silver after losing 1-0 to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in the football event of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.