PRESIDENT of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, has hailed the qualification of three national teams to the 11th All Africa Games holding in Congo-Brazzaville from September 4 to 19, describing it as a positive sign for Team Nigeria in its quest for medals in the Games coming up in Congo Brazzaville, later in the year.
Nigeria’s national men Basketball team, D’Tigers started the qualification bliss after dumping Burkina-Faso’s national Basketball team.
And the Super Falcons (the female national football team) overwhelmed a hapless Mali 8-0 in the second leg to qualify in flying colours. Also against all permutations, Samson Siasia’s Dream Team restored hope of a fine outing at the Games by beating Zambia 2-1 after a barren draw that made many lose hope of qualification in Abuja.
”I’m overjoyed to hear that our teams are qualifying for the All Africa Games. It is an indication of the good things that will come the way of Team Nigeria in Congo,” Gumel who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee said.
Secretary General, Honourable Tunde Popoola who also saluted the teams, however, assured that the NOC and the NSC are working together to ensure that Team Nigeria get the best of comfort in Congo-Brazzaville. ”We (NSC/NOC) had been to Congo and we are determined to ensure that they lack nothing. Registration and all other administrative matters are being sorted out,” Popoola said.