Rio Olympics: Siasia picks final squad

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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.