Dream Team VI players have warned the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, not to come to the team’s camp until after the semi-final match against Germany to avoid distracting the team and officials.
Specifically, the players insisted that they don’t want Dalung and his delegation anywhere near their dressing room before and during the match to avoid unnecessary distractions.
One of the players, who pleaded anonymity, said they were surprised by the utterances of the Sports Minister, adding that it would be in their interest if the minister stayed away from their camp until after the encounter.
“We are set for the semi-final clash with Germany. We have perfected our game plan to qualify for the final and win the gold medal for Nigeria like our 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games colleagues,” hinted one of the top players on Monday night.
Despite the apology by Dalung for the shabby manner his ministry treated the team during their training tour of Atlanta, the United States (U.S.), the player insisted that it was difficult for them to forget the scandalous scenario before achieving the feat of reaching the semi-final.
Under-23 team players and officials were stranded for three days before being airlifted by American Delta Airline to Manaus, venue of their first group game against Japan.
