National U-23 team coach, Samson Siasia has dispelled “rumours” that he was set to draft former international, Sylvanus Okpala to bolster his backroom staff.

Okpala

Speaking at the weekend in Warri, Siasia said, “I have heard the rumours and I am saying it again that I don’t have any plans whatsoever to ask Okpala to join this team (Dream Team VI). Why should I do that?

“The crew is already very strong with coaches like Monday Odigie, Fatai Amoo and Alloy Agu,” Siasia said.

The Dream Team VI will face Gabon’s under-23s in an All Africa Games (AAG) qualifier on Saturday in Abuja on the back of a 4-1 win in the first leg.

Siasia says his charges will not be lulled into a false sense of security ahead of the return fixture.

“We won comprehensively in the first leg but that is no guarantee that we have qualified for the next round.

“I have already told my boys that they must approach the game with every bit of seriousness if we must hoist the flag of this country at the AAG,” he said.