Coach Siasia Says Nigeria U23s Are Not Afraid Of PSG Star Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Nigeria U23s coach Samson Siasia has reacted to reports which suggested that Paris Saint-Germain superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be facing his team at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Sweden has also qualified for this summer’s European Championship, so it is not a foregone conclusion that the experienced striker will be selected as one of the over- aged players as he might be fatigued after the tourney in France.

In addition, there is uncertainty surrounding the club future of Sweden’s poster boy, with the player being linked with a plethora of teams in England and China.

“Yes, I have read of plans by Sweden to include someone like Zlatan Ibramovic as one of their over –aged players for the Games. Good for them, but as far as we are concerned, there is nothing like fear,” said Siasia.

“For us, we are trying to put up a team, and that will determine which players we are going to bring.

“We have played against players of stronger calibre than Zlatan. We have played against Lionel Messi and Di Maria and others.”

Nigeria will lock horns with Sweden on Sunday, August 7 at the Amazônia Arena in Manaus.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel