SULEIMAN TO DREAM TEAM V: DON'T BE INTIMIDATED

• Suleiman
'Don't be intimidated,' this was the message which Sports Minister and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman sent last night to the Dream Team ahead of their tomorrow's London 2012 Olympic qualifier against hosts, Morocco in the city of Tangiers.

National Sports Commission (NSC) spokesman, Tony Ohaeri, who confirmed that the Sports Minister was in touch with the Austin Eguavoen tutored side said the Minister has charged the team to fight like wounded lions and ensure they land in London.

'The Minister told the boys that he is aware that they are in for a tough battle, especially against the hosts, but despite that they must not be intimidated.

The minister charged them to fight like wounded lions and do the country proud,' Ohaeri disclosed.

He stressed that the Minister has directed the nation's soccer governing body, NFF to do everything possible to ensure that the Olympic ticket is not frittered away like that of the Nations Cup.

'The Minister apart from urging the team on, has charged the NFF to ensure we secure the Olympic ticket.

He has made it clear that we can't afford to be in London without our football team.'

It would be noted that the Falcons failed to get to London after losing to Cameroon last month. Signals coming out of Morocco indicates that Dream Team V would face hostile hosts in tomorrow's opener.

The Nigerian side had early this week been denied opportunity to train in Rabat, a situation which saw Eguavoen raising alarm.

The weather in Morocco is another problem which the Dream Team would have to contend with. Since arriving Morocco, it has been windy and cold.