Ali predicts four medals for Nigeria

 

Former Nigeria athletics captain Yusuf Ali urges Nigerians not to lose hope on the Team Nigeria’s chances of winning medals at the London Olympics.

The Olympian acknowledges concern over the nations outing at the Games with athletes losing out before getting to the medals zone. The athletics event starts on Friday and Ali is optimistic that early failure of Nigerian athletes will spur others to victory.

“As a Nigerian, I am not happy that some of our athletes fell early in the Games. But the spirit of the Olympics must be respected. There are many great athletes who have lost opportunity to be here so making it to this level is an achievement on its own,” said Ali.

“However, I am not losing hope yet. Nigeria has always been strong in athletics and having worked with these athletes here in London for the Games, I am sure that they will lift the nation’s image as from Friday.”

He will not be drawn into making predictions on which athlete will win what medal but he gives a hint of the camp expectation.

“The athletes are ready to go and we expect them to reach the finals. I am sure we cannot win less than four medals. I don’t know the colour of the medals but I know that we will win up to four medals.

“Winning gold goes with luck. Don’t rule that out. Once we get to that level, anything can happen. I call on the athletes to be calm and do things at the right pace.”