Nigeria’s U-23 Team Can’t Afford To Lose Against Japan – Ekpo

The match which will kick-off in the early hours of Friday (2am Nigerian time) will see Samson Siasia led team hoping to commence their campaign on a winning note despite arriving late in Brazil on Thursday as a result of their flight delay.

Having won the tournament's gold medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, Ekpo told Soccernet.com.ng that Nigeria has what it takes to beat Japan on Friday.

“I am confident the team won't disappoint Nigerians at the Olympic Games regardless of what they went through during their training camp in the United State of America couple with the delay in their flight. What's more important is that Nigeria can't afford to lose against Japan because they may decide the fate of the team in group B,” Ekpo revealed to Soccernet.com.ng via a telephone chat.

“One thing is certain, coach Samson Siasia knows how to handle such challenges at this level of underage football and I am sure he will motivate his players to play out their best in order to make Nigerians happy.”