The Olympic squad which consist of 18 players was announced by Coach
Samson Siasia ahead of the preparation for Olympic Games in Rio, De Janeiro
Brazil in the summer but certain names who cut the eye was omitted for many
reasons best known to the National team selectors.
With the uncertainty then of
talented duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Arsenal’s kid Alex Iwobi there are some
wrong that the Dream Team VI may parade a depleted side to the tournament which
Nigerians who love to end with a Gold medal for our team.
There are certain
players who failed to make the list for some certain reason and their absence
are not totally pleasing as they service were been missed during the
competition.
We take a look at these five players who was excluded from the Rio
Olympic squad.
ISAAC SUCCESS
One player who was not
in the list is Isaac Ajayi Success. The power playing forward whose U-17 world
cup in 2013 in UAE, was cut short following injury when he was trying to prove
a point against Sweden was really missed in Rio, Olympic Games in Brazil.
The
forward had a breakthrough season in Granada, Spain and has gone on to sign for
English side Watford thus teaming up with Nigerian International Odion Ighalo
at the Vicarage Road. The forward had been heavily looked to top sides like Inter
Milan, Champions league finalist Athletico Madrid and Valencia which is a
testament to the progress the young lad had made over the season.
His
directness pace and goal scoring threat was missing in Rio as Nigeria made do
without his services in the summer Olympic Games.
MUSA YAHAYA
The Nigerian Winger
nick named “the Nigerian Iniesta” was part of a three man attack alongside Awoniyi
and Iheanacho who terrorized the world at the U-17 level leading a strong march
to the title three years ago.
Yahaya ability on the ball cannot be questioned
as he demonstrated class and dexterity against Brazil at the U-20 World Cup in
the opening match where he scored a brilliant goal and made a silky assist for
his team mates. It was a match the young lad used to remind us what he can do
as he mesmerized the Brazilian defence with his attacking flair.
Yahaya is a
top talent along with Iheanacho and it would have been nice to have the utility
forward in the squad to replicate such performance along his U-17 teammate
Iheanacho. Yahaya trickery on the wings and vision was really missed as he
found no place in the squad for the Olympic Games in Brazil.
CHIDIEBERE NWAKALI
The ever present and
reliable midfield player who showed more hard work and creativity for the
Nigeria U-17 was missing from the Olympics. Despite a high profile move to
Manchester City along with Iheanacho the National Team selectors excluded such
a talent from a whole 18 man list.
A player of Nwakali’s quality is purely on
Olympic candidate and his exclusion lives little to be desired. Nwakali was
loaned to Norwegian side earlier in the year and he finished the campaign on a
high, recording 90 minutes in games with a goal to his name.
The midfielder
demonstrated courage and goal scoring abilities as he registered his name on
the score sheet twice at the U-17 level and should have made the squad based on
his solid performance at his Norwegian club side Ik start.
KINGSLEY SOKARI
Kingsley Sokari is one upcoming
midfielder who deserve to be in the Dream Team VI squad at soon to be concluded
Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. Following his reputation in the (NPFL) Nigerian
Football League with Enyimba International where he is one of the best
attacking midfield talent, there was no doubt about what the young midfield
player had to offer to the Olympic side going forward. Sokari goals scoring
ability makes him a potent attacking player in the Nigerian system.
The player
ability to finish up brilliant move is one of the attributes that defines his
special talent.
The midfield player scored a long range strike at the U-20 World
Cup against North Korea last year and following up with a chipping finish to
cap up a free flowing more against Senegal in the All African Games to
underlies his credentials reminding us what might have been if he was selected
for Rio, Olympics Games in Brazil as they Dream Team VI were lacking in depth
in the midfield position following Azubuike Okechukwu absence against Germany
in the Semi-Final match.
CHIDOZIE AWAZIEM
The young central
defender (19) had a breakthrough season for Portuguese giants FC Porto and
scored a goal from a header following a corner kick in the 2-0 defeat of
another Portuguese side Olhanense FC.
The defender have shown that he have all
it takes to compete at the highest level just like in the Olympic Games. Awaziem
failed to make his International debut alongside Kenneth Omeruo and Troost-Ekong
in defence due to visa hitches in May this year, but have be afforded another
chance in the Super Eagles once again following recent Call-up by new Coach
Rohr who listed him in the 23-man Squad to face Tanzania early next month. Awaziem should have been a good replacement for Segun Oduduwa who was ruled out
of the Olympic Games following long term injury.
With stability lacking in
Samson Siasia Olympic defence lines, one player who could added value to it was
the reliable center back Awaziem Chidozie who his exclusion from the Olympic
squad was not good for the Dream Team who were earlier pursuing Gold in Rio 2016
Olympic Games in Samba Nation, Brazil.
