The Sun News On-line

Those calling for the inclusion of Chelsea of England midfielder, John Mikel Obi in the Dream Team IV squad to the Beijing Olympics had better forget it.

This is because the Assistant Coach of the team, Henry Nwosu (MON), has stated categorically that no amount of pressure from whatever quarters could make the technical crew rescind their decision to shut the recalcitrant player out of the Olympics squad.

“Mikel has never been part of the Dream Team IV,” the former Green Eagles’ captain started in an exclusive telephone chat with Saturday Sunsport early in the week.

“Mikel has never shown any interest to be part of the team. He did not play in any of the qualifying matches. Those who are calling for his inclusion in the squad to the Beijing Olympics want us to fail.” Nwosu stated.

Many have argued that the Holland 2005 World Youth Championships Silver Boot award winner has a crucial role to play in the Samson Siasia-tutored team at the forthcoming Olympics. But Nwosu, who was a member of the Green Eagles’ team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, dismissed their claims, insisting that the team had been doing well without the player.

“We have been doing well without Mikel and it is obvious that he cannot help us at this point. Here is a player who believes that he is too big for the Dream Team IV. If we have been winning matches without him, why should we include him in the squad to the Olympics, even when he is not willing to play for the team?” he queried.

Nwosu described the call for Mikel’s inclusion in the Olympics squad as a distraction, stressing that he and the rest of the technical crew would remain focused in their effort to prepare a solid team that would withstand all oppositions at the global showpiece in Beijing this summer.

“We have submitted the list of players for the final preparation ahead of the Olympics. Those who are calling for the inclusion of Mikel in the team are doing that for their selfish interests.
“We are going ahead with our preparations for the Olympics’ challenge. We don’t want to be distracted by anybody.

“Thank God that the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) have never interfered with the team on technical matters. They had always given us free hands to operate. People with selfish interests will always talk, but we will not be distracted because we are focused on what we want to achieve.
“The truth is that I do not hate Mikel as a person or as a player, but he has showed that he is not interested in playing for the Dream Team IV right from the beginning. That is why we have left him out of the team. It is up to him to re-examine his ways and make amends, especially when it concerns national calls,” the former New Nigerian Bank FC captain remarked.

On the chance of the Nigerian team in the men’s soccer event at the summer Games in China, Nwosu said their target was to win two out of the three group games and then go for a draw in the remaining one to book passage from the first round. From there, they would take subsequent fixtures as they come.

“We thank God that we were able to grab the ticket to the Olympics having gone through very tough qualifying matches. However, contrary to what many people believe, we are drawn in a tough group for the Olympics proper. We don’t know much about the teams we are going to meet in the first round in Beijing and that’s enough worry for us.

“Japan is a tough team any day. That we beat Holland at the 2005 World Youth Championship does not mean we can easily beat them again at the Olympics.
“Our game plan is to win two of our group matches and target a draw in the last one. If we can achieve that, we would be through to the second round and then take the subsequent games as they come.”

Meanwhile, we are in top preparation with the home-based players with many tune-up matches lined up. We hope the foreign-based professionals will join the camp by May 12 in Malaysia for the 8-Nation Invitational Tournament.
“We are focused and determined to do the nation proud at the Beijing Olympics. By the grace of God, we shall not disappoint Nigerians” he assured.