Siasia to rest key players for Olympics quarter final

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Siasia to rest key players for Olympics quarter final

With the Dream Team VI guaranteed a place in the last eight, the tactician insists he will use a weakened team against Colombia

Coach Samson Siasia has disclosed that his key players will not be on parade when Nigeria face Colombia in their last Group B encounter.

Dream Team VI picked six points from their opening two fixtures and have qualified for the knockout round as group leaders with a game to spare.

And the tactician feels resting some starters does not mean he is undervaluingLos Cafeteros.

"I had to take this decision 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,” Siasia told the NFF website.

"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 underrating the opposition."
Colombia need a win at the against Nigeria to book a place in the quarter final of the competition. And the Dream Team VI will wear an all-white outfit at the Arena Corinthians.