Former U-17 and U-20 striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, was one of the big
misses as Nigeria Olympic team coach, Samson Siasia, named his final
list of players for the forthcoming Rio Olympic Games.
The Liverpool striker was only able to make the cut as one of the
standby players as he failed to make the final 18-man squad list that
has now been submitted.
As earlier reported by PREMIUM TIMES, Chelsea midfielder and Super
Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, was selected as one of only two
over-aged players, with the other being Chippa United of South Africa
goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi. Akpeyi who is expected to be the number one
goalkeeper ahead of Emmanuel Daniel.
Another high profile name missing in the Olympic squad is Kenneth
Omeruo, who was omitted, as his availability couldn’t be guaranteed for
the games.
Also, surprisingly left out of the list is new Greuther Furth of
Germany signing, Erhun Obanor. The defender had been a part of the team
from the onset and was captain at some point and his omission comes as
another surprise.
The Full List
Goalkeepers
Daniel Akpeyi
Emmanuel Daniel
Defenders
Sincere Seth
William Troost-Ekong
Saturday Erimuya
Kingsley Madu
Shehu Abdullahi
Ndifreke Udo
Stanley Amuzie
Midfielders
John Obi Mikel
Okechukwu Azubuike
Usman Mohammed
Saliu Popoola
Strikers
Junior Ajayi
Oghenekaro Etebo
Aminu Umar
Sadiq Umar
Imoh Ezekiel
Standby
Stanley Dimgba
Godwin Saviour
Yusuf Bala
Taiwo Awoniyi
Nigeria will open their Olympic Games campaign in the men’s football event against Japan.
Having won silver in his last try at the Beijing Olympics, Coach Siasia is hoping to go one step higher with gold in Rio.