Just when the last hopes of Team Nigeria bringing home a medal from the Rio 2016 Olympics were fading out, the Dream Team VI put the smile back on the faces of Nigerians by beating Honduras to the bronze medal of the football event.
The team and the nation's sports administrators have been celebrating the feat. Thanking the players for winning the bronze medal, the team's coach Samson Siasia said ;
“I want to say thanks to the players. They did a great job. It is good to take something home.
“Having bronze is not easy, we are happy and we have to celebrate. We have to enjoy this moment."
To the team's captain, John Obi Mikel, the bronze medal "is very important, because football in Nigeria is absolutely massive.
“We had extra-pressure but we have done it for us, for our family, for Nigeria."
An elated Gumel who almost led Team Nigeria to a barren Olympic Games could not hide his relief.
“I commend you for relieving all Nigerians at home and abroad all the tension that marked our presence at the Games.
“It is rewarding to at least take home a bronze. I know it could have been better.
“They have broken a jinx of returning home empty handed since the last London 2012 Olympic Games. Opportunities are there for us all to plan for the future.’’
Perhaps the much criticized Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung celebrated more than everyone.
According to Dalung, “the players and coaches are the “real heroes’’ of the Games.
“I want to commend these brave heroes who against all odds surmounted obstacles to finish as the third best team in the football event.
“They are the real heroes of this Olympics. They showed determination in the face of challenges to win this `golden’ bronze,’’ he said.
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