Preview: Colombia vs Nigeria (Rio Olympics)

Group B’s top two teams Nigeria (6 points) and Colombia (2 points) face-off today, August 10 at the Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, as the group games of Rio Olympics men’s football tournament rounds off. 

While Nigeria will be looking to secure nine points and a 100% record in the competition, the game is a must-win for Colombia if they want to advance to the next round. However, Colombia should not expect any favours from their opponents, with captain and Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi maintaining that his team will not lose focus on their target to win the gold medal.

Although, Nigeria’s coach Samson Siasia has disclosed that he intends to rest some of his starters in the game, the 48-year-old still looks likely to feature a strong squad.

“I had to take this decision to rest some players because we have qualified for the quarter finals as group leaders, and secondly I need to rest some of the starters because in the next phase there is a possibility of going into extra time. “For now the boys have done well and I need to make the other players justify why I selected them for this tournament. This is not a tea party so everyone must stand up to be counted, and the only way they can be counted is if they play well against Colombia. Resting some starters does not mean we are under –rating the opposition,” he said. The Colombians on the other hand, have had a decent performance thus far at the competition, drawing both of their matches against Sweden and Japan by the score of 2-2. They relied on the greatness of striker Teofilo Gutierrez, who featured in this tournament instead of the Copa America last month.

This game promises to be a cracker. Kick-off time 11pm (Nigerian time).

Colombia XI: 1. Cristian Bonilla, 2. William Testillo, 3. Deivy Balanta, 8. Dorlan Pabon, 10. Teofilo Gutierrez (C), Harold Preciado, 12. Andres Roa, 13. Helibelton Palacios, 15. Wilmar Barrios, 16. Kevin Balanta, 17. Cristian Borja Subs: 18. Luis Hurtado (GK), 4. Deiver Machado, 6. Jefferson Lerma, 7. Arley Rodriguez, 9. Miguel Borja, 14. Sebastian Perez 

Nigeria XI: 1. Daniel Akpeyi (GK), 2. Muenfuh Sincere, 3. Kingsley Madu, 6. William Ekong, 7. Aminu Umar, 8. Oghenekaro Etebo, 10. John Obi Mikel (C), 12. Popoola Saliu, 13. Sadiq Umar, 14. Okechukwu Azubuike, 15. Ndifreke Udo Subs: 18. Emmanuel Daniel (GK), 4. Abdullahi Shehu, 5. Saturday Erimuya, 9. Imoh Ezekiel, 11. Oluwafemi Ajayi, 16. Stanley Amuzie