Dream Team coach says he's sad to drop players

Coach of the Nigeria U-23 team Samson Siasia has revealed sadness over his mandatory decision to drop some players from the final team to the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

Siasia picked over 26 players to a camp in Gambia where they were based ahead of the championship and ended up taking just 21 from the players for the tournament.

The manager revealed that he faced a selection headache before picking his 21 players for the tournament in Senegal.

He however urged the players that did not make his final squad not to be relent on their career but but to work harder.

“I feel sad telling you guys to go, but the truth is that only 21 players will have to make the trip to Senegal, and these selected ones are those the technical crew have seen to be able to give us an Olympic ticket in Senegal,” Siasia told the website.

“Don’t feel discouraged, go back to your clubs and keep on working on your game, you will have your chance to be part of the team.”

Nigeria will kick off their campaign on Sunday, November 29 against Mali and play Egypt on Wednesday, November 2 in Mbour and three days later play their final group B match against Algeria in Dakar