Obi Mikel Wants To Play At Olympic Games, Siasia Claims

Some established Super Eagles players like Eddy Onazi (Lazio) and Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa) have indicated their interest in representing the Nigeria U23s at the 2016 Olympic Games, while there is a possibility that English-based duo Obi Mikel and Odion Ighalo will make the roster for the competition.

Dream Team VI coach Samson Siasia has opined that the Chelsea midfielder would love to feature in the Games, having missed the 2008 Olympic Games and has stressed that he’ll only select players to beef up positions that are lacking quality.

“I guess that because Mikel missed out the last time, he wants to make up for it,” Samson Siasia told thenff.com.

“Not only that, the last couple of games he has played for the Super Eagles. He has been playing very well, and if he wants to be part of the team, of course he is welcome, but as I said we have to look at the positions we really, really need people.

“We are not going to select players because they play for the Super Eagles or because they are still under the age bracket.

“They have to compete with those players who actually qualified the team for the Olympics.”

Obi Mikel has represented Nigeria at Fifa U17, U20 World Cups, Confederations Cup and the World Cup and will join an elite list of players who have played in the five major tournaments sanctioned by Fifa if he makes the squad list for Rio.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com