Olympics African qualifier host – Nigeria ready to bid

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

If arrangements by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) get the nod of the board and the Presidency, Nigeria may join the bidding race to host the eight-nation’s African qualifier tournament for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The Dream Team V had last weekend defeated visiting Tanzania side on 3-1 goal aggregate at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin to pick the ticket after emerging the group top for the qualifier tournament with Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Cote D’ Ivorie, South Africa, Senegal, and Gabon for the available three African slots in the final round.

But, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had insisted that one of the competing nations must host the final round of the qualifying games tentatively scheduled for late September.

However, chairman of the NFF technical committee, Chris Green, who made the disclosure, while fielding questions from newsmen after the Eagles’victory in Benin argued that hosting the final round will give the Austin Eguavoen-led side an edge over their opponents.

Barr. Green, who admitted that the eight teams fighting for the continent’s three slots are ‘very tough sides, promised to exploit every avenue to ensure that the Dream Team V emerges top in the final round, adding that Nigeria must vie for soccer gold in the Olympics Games.

“For sure, the NFF will do everything possible to win the right to host the final qualifying round. Having studied the politics of the game, I believe that it will favour us a lot if we host the final round. It will give our team the encouragement to play and win for one of the slots, playing under a massive supports from the home fans. If we finally win the hosting right, we will do our best to win a ticket for the football event of the games,” Green assured.

Meanwhile, it may not be smooth sailing for Nigeria as she would face strong challenge from South Africa that is also in the race to host the newly introduced qualifier format.

-Sunwp_posts