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Controversies have continued to trail the Nigeria U-23 side for the Rio Olympics, as just one day before their opening game against Japan, the team is still stuck in Atlanta, the United States.
Samson Siasia and his boys were scheduled to leave the U.S via a charter flight to Manaus on Sunday before the trip was moved to Monday, and now has been postponed to Wednesday, mainly due to lack of funds from the Sports ministry.
The sports ministry was supposed to pay for the chartered flight on Tuesday, but the money was not made available, a very reliable source said yesterday.
The sports minister, who was expected to visit the team at their base in Atlanta, opted to speak with the captain of Team Nigeria John Mikel Obi on the phone.
Efforts to make money available for the team to reach Manaus, Brazil in preparation for their first group match, has been futile.
The Dream Team VI face Japan on Thursday night, 2am Friday Nigerian time.
In recent times, Nigeria football has been marred with issues regarding fund shortages, coach salaries and players bonuses.
Recall that former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh who resigned from his post in February cited issues relating to salaries, bonuses and breach of contract.
Just few weeks back, coach of the U-23 Eagles, Samson Siasia claimed the Nigeria Football Federation has not paid him for the past five months.
Soccer loving Nigerians will hope that the team will not be affected by this confusion and setbacks as they hope to win ‘’Gold’’ just as their predecessors did at the Atlanta ’96 Olympics.
