Chieftains of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Sports Ministry have hailed the U-23 Eagles, who dumped Sweden 1-0 to romp into the quarter-finals of the Olympic football event.

The Samson Siasia-led side have shot themselves into reckoning, winning the two matches they have so far played. Japan were their first casualty, losing 5-4, despite the troubles the Nigerians had with the travel plans, which caused them to arrive Brazil with about four hours to match time from their Atlanta camping base.

Umar Sadiq was the hero of the last game, as Siasia’s boys dominated to the joy of Nigerians who were led by Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung and Chef de Mission of Team Nigeria, Chinyeaka Ohaa.

With the two victories, the boys have sent out strong warning signals to their likely quarter-final opponents from Group A, comprising Brazil, Denmark, South Africa and Iraq, that they are the team to be feared in the knock-out stage.

With their sights fixed on Salvador where the quarter final will take place at the Fonte Nova Arena on on August 13, there is still the little matter of the last group B match at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo tomorrow against Colombia.

As things stand, Nigeria are likely to face the hosts in Bahia except the Brazilians lose to Denmark and South Africa who haven’t come to life so far in the tournament, beat Iraq in Sao Paulo or vice versa.

“The Olympic Eagles have given us so much to cheer and to cherish and we urge them not to rest on their oars until the gold is won. We are proud of them’’, Gumel said.