22nd June, 2015
Coach of Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles, Samson Siasia, has called up eight players from the recent FIFA U-20 World Cup as the Olympic team prepare to battle Congo for a place at the CAF Championship in Senegal, which will serve as qualifier for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Siasia has ordered the locally based Flying Eagles players led by captain Musa Mohammed to report to the Abuja training camp of the team on Monday.
The players are Musa Mohammed, Taiwo Awoniyi, Saviour Godwin and Dele Alampasu.
The overseas-based call-ups are Musa Yahaya (Tottenham Hotspur), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City), Kingsley Sokari (Esperance) and Moses Simon (Gent) are to report to camp two weeks to the first leg game against Congo scheduled for Abuja.
Meanwhile, former international, Dosu Joseph has hailed Siasia for inviting key players of the Flying Eagles to his team.
Dosu lauded Siasia’s move as the right thing, adding that the invitation of players from the U-20 attests to their very fine quality.
“Siasia’s gesture is really commendable that is without a doubt. We were knocked out early in the tournament in New Zealand but a couple of the players did well to earn a call up to the U-23 team.
“The competition is best forgotten for the entire team but that does not undermine the quality of the Under 20 players and Siasia has done the right thing to bring them on board,” said Dosu.