Solomon-Dalung

Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports, on Monday, charged Nigeria’s  Dream Team VI to pick a Rio 2016 Olympic ticket in the on going African U-23 championship in Senegal.

Dalung made this call in a message posted on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) website in Abuja on Monday.

Nigeria defeated the Les Aiglons of Mali 3-2 on Sunday at the Caroline Faye Stadium, M’Bour.

According to the website, Dalung had put a call across to the players and officials of the team 30 minutes after the match congratulating them on the victory.

In the message, Dalung also urged the team not to rest on their oars but to go all out for the Olympics ticket.

“Let me assure you all that your efforts will not go unnoticed; all I ask of you is to relax, enjoy this moment, and then concentrate on your next game.

“No game is easy, but from the much you have shown against Mali, I know you guys can make it.

“ I charge you all to make the nation proud,’’ Dalung was quoted as saying.

The  top three teams of the championship will represent Africa in next year’s Rio Olympics.

Nigeria will battle Egypt on Dec. 2 in M’bour and three days later play their final group B match against Algeria in Dakar.

The championship, which has eight teams participating, began on Nov. 28 and is expected to end on Dec. 12.