Siasia: We Didn’t Deserve To Be Champions

Nigeria U-23 team coach Samson Siasia said his team did not deserve to be champions of Africa if their preparations for the U-23 AFCON were anything to go by.

Samson Siasia

Nigeria beat Algeria 2-1 in last Saturday’s final to clinch the second edition of the tournament, which also doubles as a qualifier for the Olympics.

Former Super Eagles coach Siasia said his team’s build-up to the U-23 AFCON was nothing to write home about.

“From how we prepared, we did not deserve to win anything. It was just a miracle we won,” lamented the coach.

“We had to manage everything, from kits to what have you, for the past one year.”

He added: “Motivating  the boys was not  easy at all, it was tough but thank God we survived it.”

Siasia’s Dream Team VI were criticised after the first two games for conceding two goals in the second half after a convincing lead in the first half.

The coach was therefore selective in crediting those behind his team’s triumph.

“I dedicate the victory at the U-23 championship to  God and well-meaning Nigerians who were praying for us  to succeed, but  not the wicked ones who wanted me and the team  to fail,” Siasia said.

Source: Vanguard