Ahead of the All Africa Games qualifier against the Gabonese U-23 team, Dream Team VI coach, Samson Siasia speaks to sl10.ng on their preparedness, the Olympic Games qualifiers and his ambition with the U23’s. Enjoy.
Coach, the All Africa Games qualifiers starts this month. Let’s start by knowing how prepared your team is.
We are doing well, the boys are preparing just fine and they have been responding to what we expect. We are not done yet, but we are getting there and I’m sure we will keep improving as we keep going.
You said a couple of weeks ago that you guys were ready, but from the tone of what you just said, it doesn’t seem so, does it?
If we are to play Gabon today, we are ready and that is what I said. But since we are not playing them today, I’d say we are still preparing. We have to keep preparing because we are not a perfect team yet, but that doesn’t mean we cannot play matches when they arise. We have to keep getting better with every opportunity we get.
How has the Super 6 and Tunisia games helped you prepare thus far?
Oh they have been good for us. Before those games, we only played some local friendlies with lower teams and we didn’t really get the competitive edge we wanted. But the Super 6 and Tunisia friendlies have given us a different edge. We needed some competition and that exactly was what we got. The players are tougher now mentally, and it has also helped us know the players that will make our team. So they were good opportunities.
So can you tell us the sort of players you think are ideal for your team?
Of course they have to be good footballers first and foremost. Then the character comes into play, and I mean the character of the player to adapt to the system we want. Those games against Tunisia and the Super 6 have helped us identify these players within our ranks and have also put the other ones in line with what we expect. And so far, I would say they have shown progress.
So how far have you gone with the release of the overseas based players you invited?
We are still working on it, and some of them have given us their words that they will be here but we are not relying on that. We know this doesn’t fall under the FIFA free window and clubs are not obliged to release their players. If eventually they come, good for us, but if they don’t, we will make do with the players we already have at our disposal. We cannot over rely on those overseas based players.
The other time you told us it would take you some time to give us your ambition with this team. Is it a good time now to tell us?
We want to do well and qualify for both the All Africa and Olympic Games. We must keep working hard but the ultimate goal of course is to win the Olympic gold in Brazil next year and hopefully we will get there.
Thanks for your time once again
You’re welcome
Friday, 20 February 2015
SIASIA: DREAM TEAM'LL WIN OLYMPIC GOLD IN BRAZIL
Ahead of the All Africa Games qualifier against the Gabonese U-23 team, Dream Team VI coach, Samson Siasia speaks to sl10.ng on their preparedness, the Olympic Games qualifiers and his ambition with the U23’s. Enjoy.
Coach, the All Africa Games qualifiers starts this month. Let’s start by knowing how prepared your team is.
We are doing well, the boys are preparing just fine and they have been responding to what we expect. We are not done yet, but we are getting there and I’m sure we will keep improving as we keep going.
You said a couple of weeks ago that you guys were ready, but from the tone of what you just said, it doesn’t seem so, does it?
If we are to play Gabon today, we are ready and that is what I said. But since we are not playing them today, I’d say we are still preparing. We have to keep preparing because we are not a perfect team yet, but that doesn’t mean we cannot play matches when they arise. We have to keep getting better with every opportunity we get.
How has the Super 6 and Tunisia games helped you prepare thus far?
Oh they have been good for us. Before those games, we only played some local friendlies with lower teams and we didn’t really get the competitive edge we wanted. But the Super 6 and Tunisia friendlies have given us a different edge. We needed some competition and that exactly was what we got. The players are tougher now mentally, and it has also helped us know the players that will make our team. So they were good opportunities.
So can you tell us the sort of players you think are ideal for your team?
Of course they have to be good footballers first and foremost. Then the character comes into play, and I mean the character of the player to adapt to the system we want. Those games against Tunisia and the Super 6 have helped us identify these players within our ranks and have also put the other ones in line with what we expect. And so far, I would say they have shown progress.
So how far have you gone with the release of the overseas based players you invited?
We are still working on it, and some of them have given us their words that they will be here but we are not relying on that. We know this doesn’t fall under the FIFA free window and clubs are not obliged to release their players. If eventually they come, good for us, but if they don’t, we will make do with the players we already have at our disposal. We cannot over rely on those overseas based players.
The other time you told us it would take you some time to give us your ambition with this team. Is it a good time now to tell us?
We want to do well and qualify for both the All Africa and Olympic Games. We must keep working hard but the ultimate goal of course is to win the Olympic gold in Brazil next year and hopefully we will get there.
Thanks for your time once again
You’re welcome
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment