Arsenal Midfielder Iwobi Could Face Off Against Childhood Pal Akpom At Toulon Festival

Nigeria’s Olympic National Team is among the ten teams invited to participate in the 2016 edition of the prestigious Toulon Tournament which will hold in France from 18–29 May 2016, according to the official website of the tournament.

The Dream Team VI and South Africa will represent Africa in the tourney, while Australia, Japan,Mexico, Czech Republic,England,France,Portugal and Colombia have been handed invitations as well.

With the English Premier League set to end three days before the start of the competition, the likes of Alex Iwobi(Arsenal), Kelechi Iheanacho(Manchester City) and Nathan Oduwa(Tottenham Hotspur) could feature in the tournament for the first time.

The draw for the group stage is yet to be determined, but it is confirmed that the Nigeria U23s will play a minimum of four matches during the competition.

Traditionally, the Toulon Tournament is reserved for U20 players but the organizers have decided to allow participants select players born from January 1 1993 to enable them use the tourney to prepare for the Olympic Games.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel