The Nigeria U23 team, without key players like John Obi Mikel and William Troost-Ekong, arrived Lagos on Monday night following their bronze medal winning feat at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The African U23 champions won the nations’ only medal following their 3-2 victory against Honduras in the third place match as Rio 2016 came to a close on Sunday.
The Dream Team VI arrived the country to a warm reception from members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club and other fans.
12 players and seven officials, including coach Samson Siasia, returned to the country while others had returned to their various clubs.
Chelsea’s Mikel, Haugesund defender Troost-Ekong, AS Trencin midfielder Kingsley Madu, Osmanlıspor’s Aminu Umar and AS Roma’s Sadiq Umar were some of the players missing from the returning squad.
Those who flew into Lagos on Monday night include Olufemi Ajayi Junior, Saliu Popoola, Okechukwu Azubuike, Stanley Amuzie, Ndifreke Udo, Muenfuh Sincere and Ezekiel Imoh.
Upon their arrival, Siasia’s men were lodged at the Sheraton Hotel and were expected to depart to their various destinations from Lagos on Tuesday.
In the meantime, no official hosting plan has been announced for the team by the Nigeria Football Federation and the sports ministry.
The Nigerian team withstood arriving in Brazil just hours to their opening game to win the country’s only medal. They suffered flight cancellation, were almost kicked out of their hotel due to lack of payment and were boosted by a Japanese surgeon that handed them a cheque for winning their bronze medal match against Honduras.
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