Taiwo Awoniyi praises Samson Siasia's tactical nous in Senegal victory

Nigeria U23 forward said that the quality inputs from the technical bench helped the country seal a ticket to next year's Olympiad in Rio de Janeir

 Taiwo Awoniyi has praised the hardwork and technical nous that secured his side a ticket to the men's football event of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat of Senegal. 

Oghenekaro Etebo's strike from the penalty spot was all coach Samson Siasia's men needed to earn a 1-0 semifinal victory against the hosts at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium in Dakar.

Nigeria last appeared at the Olympics in 2008, where Siasia led the team to a silver medal finish.

Despite not featuring in the match due to injury, Awoniyi expressed delight at being part of the success story at the tournament and hailing Nigerians for their support.

"I'm very happy. We as a team are super delighted at making this happen for our country," Awoniyi told Goal.

"I'm personally feeling great being part of the team achieving this amazing feet. It's God and the great coaching we got from our technical crew led by coach Samson Siasia.

"Once again, I'm greatful to God for the opportunity and must appreciate Nigerians for their support and prayers.

"I must also thank the coach for the opportunity to be part of the achievement and I promise Nigerians that we will come out stronger in the final," he concluded.

Nigeria will face Algeria, who defeated their South Africa 2-0, in the final on Saturday, December 12 at the Léopold-Sédar-Senghor Stadium.

The winner between South Africa and hosts Senegal in the third place match of the tournament will fill the final African spot for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Nigeria joins hosts Brazil, Algeria, Honduras, Mexico, Argentina, Fiji, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Sweden to complete the 11 countries that have qualified for the 16-team event.

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Mourinho, he's one of the best ever ()

The former Manchester United manager believes Blues owner Roman Abramovich must have faith in the Portuguese coach, insisting he can turn the situation around

Sir Alex Ferguson says Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would be "foolish" to sack Jose Mourinho, hailing him as one of the best coaches the game has ever seen.

The reigning Premier League champions have been in abysmal form this term, with Saturday's 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Bournemouth the latest disappointing result.

Mourinho's men have picked up just four points from their last six league games, leaving them sitting just two points above the relegation zone after 15 matches.

Speculation over the Portuguese coach's future continues to increase, but former Manchester United manager Ferguson feels the club should stick by him.

"Abramovich has sacked so many coaches in the last 10 years that I am sure he has learned from it," the Scotsman is quoted as saying by The Mirror. 

"He has to trust and have confidence that Jose can turn it around.

“There is no point in sacking one of the best coaches of all time, he’s won the European Cup twice, he’s won the league in each country he’s managed in, he’s won the big trophies.

"It would be foolish to take that step to sack him. That would be bad management. It’s not leadership, that."

The 73-year-old pointed out that Chelsea's current predicament is the first time Mourinho has ever really struggled in his career, but he has backed him to turn the situation around.

“I’ve been watching Jose and I’ve spoken to him a couple of times. It’s the first time he’s been confronted with non-success.

"If you look at his whole career it’s been nothing but a rise all the time, so for the first time in his life he’s had to deal with bad publicity, adversity, and thats a challenge but there are signs he is getting back to a balanced level even though they lost on Saturday.

“For Jose, all good leaders will eventually find a solution. He will find a solution and I think he will get back to normal. It’s not looking great at the moment, but I know the guy and work he has done in football and I can’t see it lasting long.

"There are not many teams who can continue that, for instance Manchester City won the League and then lost it the next year, Chelsea won the league and are now having a bad spell.

"It is very difficult to maintain and continue success for five, six, seven years, very, very difficult.

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