Former Nigeria international, Henry Nwosu, has urged national U-23 coach, Samson Siasia, to focus on the players that would be available for the Rio 2016 Olympics, adding that the team could do well without the other players, whose clubs refused to release for the Games.
Siasia last week released the names of 35 players for the Olympics but some European clubs have said they won’t release their players for the competition. Manchester City are holding on to Kelechi Iheanacho just as Arsenal have said they will not release Alex Iwobi.
Some other players in the list have also yet to be released by their clubs for the team’s camping in the United States. Nwosu told our correspondent that as much as the overseas-based players were important, Siasia should focus on the players who are available and build a team the country would be proud of.
“The Olympics are quite near and it is a good thing that the coach has made his plans known. He should focus on the players at his disposal and work on them to build a good team before the Games begin,” he said.
“The players want to play at the Olympics but since their clubs have refused to release them because the Olympics is not in the FIFA calendar, there is little or nothing anyone can do about it. The players he has most of whom are home-based, can bring back a medal from Rio if they work as a team. He had done it before and he has the experience as a coach at this level.
“Siasia is a good coach and I believe he called the players based on their current forms. He should not dwell much on those whose clubs have refused to release. The friendly tournament they played recently showed the need for teamwork in the team and I believe he would work on their weakness to get the best out of them.
“As their training progresses, he will get the best legs he needs for the Olympics and gradually weed out the weak ones. When clubs do not release the good players you need for a competition, the challenge is quite high.”
But he should focus on the ones he has and look forward to having a great tournament.”
