Players of the national U-23 team at the Rio Games have said they would not leave Brazil without the bronze medal. Their statement comes as the Nigerians take on Honduras in the bronze medal (third-place) match of the Olympics.

The team captained by Mikel Obi had set their sights on the gold but now have to settle for bronze after they got knocked out by Germany in the semifinal match played on Wednesday in Sao Paulo. Mikel, who had spoken to reporters several times on his desire to win the Olympic gold before returning to Chelsea, said after the 2-0 loss to Germany that as professionals, they would simply adjust their mental setting and focus on the fresh challenge of winning the bronze medal.

He said, “We arrived in Brazil with our minds set on the gold but it’s painful that it has turned out this way. Every match played was with the mind-set to win it.

“We gave everything against Germany but luck wasn’t on our side. We will keep going for bronze, to make Nigeria proud.”

Coach Samson Siasia, who also regretted his team’s semifinal defeat, spoke of his determination not to leave the Olympics empty-handed.

After getting over the defeat to Germany, he said focus was now on this match. “We are going to face it with all seriousness because it is better to go home with a bronze than nothing at all. We came here with determination to win gold but we have to face the reality on ground and be very professional. We will go for it.”


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Rubbish, the match you already lost or?