Head coach of Nigeria’s U-23 team, Samson Siasia, is still not certain he will have Alex Iwobi of Arsenal and Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho in his squad for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
Siasia told media in Abuja, that Arsenal are not willing to release Iwobi for the tournament, because they want the player to take part in their pre-season programme.
However, he is hoping that Iwobi’s father can convince Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger.
“The chances of Iwobi going to the Olympics depends how well his father is able to make Arsene Wenger to have a change of mind. Alex is a young man who will benefit much from playing against big stars like Neymer. He would be a great asset for us at the games,” he said.
“Manchester City are not forthcoming regarding the release of Kelechi Iheanacho for the Rio Olympic Games. They are yet to respond to letter asking for his release and Kelechi is not helping matters with his attitude. I need him and Iwobi, but if they are not released to us, we manage what we have.”
Siasia, who led Nigeria to a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, is also waiting on Watford’s Odion Ighalo, who is supposed to be one of the three over-aged players in the team.
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