SAMSON SIASIA NAMES A PROVISIONAL 35 MAN SQUAD FOR RIO OLYMPICS-MIKEL AND IGHALO IN

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has released a list of 35 players, as decided by head coach of the U-23 team, Samson Siasia, who will take part in the final training ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.

Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi and Watford striker, Odion Ighalo, make the cut.

Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho are also included, despite speculation over their availability for the competition.

Siasia and his squad will have their training camp in Atlanta, USA, where Nigeria won the Olympic Gold 20 years ago.

The coach admits the choice is to “psychologically prepare my boys for victory in Brazil.”

A final list of 18 will be released before the team leaves for Brazil.

The Dream Team VI have been drawn to face Sweden, Colombia and Japan in the preliminary stage.

FULL LIST

Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa FC, South Africa), Yusuf Bala (Kano Pillars), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers), Taiwo Abdulrahman (Kwara United), Ndubuisi Agu (FC Porto, Portugal), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal), Taiwo Awoniyi (Frankfurt FC, Germany), Okechukwu Azubuike (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Etor Daniel (Enyimba FC), Augustine Dimgba (Sunshine Stars), William Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway), Saturday Erimuya (Kayseri Erciyespor, Turkey), Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense FC, Portugal), Imoh Ezekiel (Anderlecht, Belgium), Saviour Godwin (Ostende, Belgium), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Emiloju Julius (MFM FC), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Usman Muhammed (CF Uniao, Portugal), Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium), Erhun Obanor (MFM FC), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England), Sodiq Saliu (Seraing FC, Belgium), Abdullahi Shehu (CF Uniao, Portugal), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Seth Sincere (Rhapsody FC), Ndifreke Udo (Abia Warriors), Aminu Umar (Osmalispor, Turkey), Sadiq Umar (AS Roma, Italy)