BY Chioma Aniegboka
As the national Olympic team intensifies preparations ahead of the 2012 Olympic qualifying tournament in Morocco next month, President General of the Nigeria Football Supporter Club, Rafiu Ladipo has tasked the players to improve their game to ensure qualification for the games.

Ladipo who spoke to our correspondent in his office Tuesday, said, “Nigerian players need to be serious with they training because this Olympic qualifiers are going to be very tough.”

Ladipo added that Nigeria had a lot of work to do “because we have Morocco, Senegal, Algeria and others to contend with. We need to fasten our belt in order to win a ticket to the Olympics.” He acknowledged that the countries in the tournament were indeed tough but with training we can defeat them.”

He blamed Nigerian players for the part they are playing in the unfolding phase the country’s football was passing through.

Rafiu told sports vanguard that “Nigerian players these days are no longer serious. They forget themselves when ever they are on the field of play. It is sad indeed. They all need re branding.”

Ladipo stressed the need for total support for the Austin Eguavoen tutored team. “We need to encourage them to be very serious with what they are doing and ask them to put more effort and improve in their performances.”

With disciplining and good preparation, Ladipo believes the country can qualify for the Olympics.