Nigeria will face Algeria in the final of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, 12 December 2015 at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium, Dakar.
Ahead of the crunch meeting, Cafonline.com has been speaking to the coaches of the two sides;
Ahead of the crunch meeting, Cafonline.com has been speaking to the coaches of the two sides;
Samson Siasia (Head Coach, Nigeria)
We're very happy to be in the final. It has been a long journey with some ups and downs but it feels good to be in the final. We know our opponents (Algeria) very well after playing them (at the group phase) and seeing their matches.
The objective was to qualify for the Olympics which we achieved against Senegal. Now, we've set another objective, which is to win because we want to win the tournament for our people back home in Nigeria.
The players worked hard to get to Rio de Janeiro because they want to make the country proud. It doesn't matter whether they have received match bonuses or not, what is important is to play and win for Nigeria.
Victor Osimhen had a good outing against Senegal which is giving me problems ahead of the final. I think he will play but I cannot confirm if he will start.
Pierre-Andre Schurman (Head Coach, Algeria)
Our mission was to qualify for the Olympic Games and it is done. I congratulate my players and staff on that. Our qualification is historic in the sense that it has been 35-years since Algeria last qualified for the Olympic Games.
It was worth waiting and for a coach from a country like Switzerland, it is quiet weird.
The final will never be the same (like the meeting at the group phase). It is a different game and we will have a different philosophy because it is an important game for the two coaches.
We will focus on our strategy. Every coach would like to go offensive but the basic is defence. When you are building a house, you need a strong foundation to support it.
The difference will be the goals scored and once you have an opportunity, you have to score.
We're very happy to be in the final. It has been a long journey with some ups and downs but it feels good to be in the final. We know our opponents (Algeria) very well after playing them (at the group phase) and seeing their matches.
The objective was to qualify for the Olympics which we achieved against Senegal. Now, we've set another objective, which is to win because we want to win the tournament for our people back home in Nigeria.
The players worked hard to get to Rio de Janeiro because they want to make the country proud. It doesn't matter whether they have received match bonuses or not, what is important is to play and win for Nigeria.
Victor Osimhen had a good outing against Senegal which is giving me problems ahead of the final. I think he will play but I cannot confirm if he will start.
Pierre-Andre Schurman (Head Coach, Algeria)
Our mission was to qualify for the Olympic Games and it is done. I congratulate my players and staff on that. Our qualification is historic in the sense that it has been 35-years since Algeria last qualified for the Olympic Games.
It was worth waiting and for a coach from a country like Switzerland, it is quiet weird.
The final will never be the same (like the meeting at the group phase). It is a different game and we will have a different philosophy because it is an important game for the two coaches.
We will focus on our strategy. Every coach would like to go offensive but the basic is defence. When you are building a house, you need a strong foundation to support it.
The difference will be the goals scored and once you have an opportunity, you have to score.
By: Cafonline.com
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