President General of Nigeria's football and other sports supporters club Rafiu Ladipo said that the Nigeria's U-23 team, Dream Team IV, are desperate to win the gold medal of the Olympics men's football event, local media reported Sunday.

Reacting to the chances of the team at the Olympic Games, Ladipo said the Samson Siasia tutored lads are among the favorite teams to win the Olympics gold because the team has shown rest of the world that they are force to reckon with in the forthcoming Beijing Olympic Games in China. He however expressed strong optimism in the success of the team at the Summer Games.

"The U-23 team has the potential of winning the trophy at the Olympics in China, because the team is blessed with large number of promising players who are ready to give their best to the country. Majority of the players are hungry for glory, and they are ready to make name for themselves at the Olympic Games. I think the players are eager to do Nigeria proud at the games this year," he said.

Meanwhile, Dream Team IV departed Nigeria on Wednesday for their pre-Olympic tour in South Korea, and would travel from there to China for the Olympic Games.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2008)