Siasia drafts Osimhen to U-23 squad

Coach of the Nigeria U-23 team Samson Siasia has revealed sadness over his mandatory decision to drop some players from the final team to the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

He however urged the players that did not make his final squad not to be relent on their career but but to work harder.

The full list of selected players include Emmanuel Daniel, Yusuf Mohammed, Emmanuel Iwu, Segun Oduduwa, Sincere Seth, Azubuike Okechukwu, Ajayi Junior, Oghenekaro Etebo, Taiwo Awoniyi, Usman Mohammed, Ndifreke Effiong, Chukwuebuka Iroha, Stanley Dimgba, Godspower Aniefiok, Bature Yaro, Zaradeen Bello, Amaefule Chizoba, Seun Olulayo, Tiongoli Tonbara, Kufre Ebong and Victor Osimhen.

Meanwhile, Siasia have lamented the reluctance of foreign clubs to release their players.

The tournament’s finalists will represent Africa at 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

Four years ago, Nigeria failed in Morocco to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.

The Bayelsa born tactician was in charge of the 2008 U-23 team to the Beijing Olympics that lost in the final to an Argentina side that had the likes of Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi.

The Dream VI will be campaigning in Group B where they are pitched alongside Egypt, Algeria and Mali.

The pros are strikers Taiwo Awoniyi from German second division side FSV Frankfurt, Junior Ajayi of Tunisian club CS Sfaxien, Isaac success from La Liga side Granada as well as midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu, who is based in Turkey.