Siasia Picks 8 Overseas Players Korea Tourney

Nigeria U23 coach Samson Siasia has selected eight overseas-based professionals including Liverpool forward Taiwo Awoniyi and Nathan Oduwa for Tottenham Hotspur on a final squad for the Suwon Invitational Tournament in Korea.


The list is dominated by players who featured against the Brazil U-23 in a friendly in that country two months ago, which Nigeria won 1-0, while two new faces Emiloju Julius and Abdulrahman Taiwo break into the team, and winger Saviour Godwin also makes a return to the team after a long absence.

Addressing the players after a friendly on Thursday at the practice pitch of the National Stadium, Abuja, Siasia charged those selected for the trip to see it as an honour.

"That you were selected does not mean that those not selected are not good. We simply want to give everyone enough opportunity to justify why they should be part of the team to the Rio Olympics," he said.

The delegation of 20 players and 10 officials will be led by NFF executive committee member and chairman of the NFF media and publicity committee, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande.

The team are expected to depart Nigeria for Korea Republic on Monday, 30th May aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight, and arrive in Seoul on Tuesday.

20 PLAYERS FOR SUWON TOURNAMENT

Goalkeepers: Emmanuel Daniel, Yusuf Mohammed

Defenders: Emmanson Daniel, Sincere Seth, Ndifreke Effiong, Segun Oduduwa, Stanley Amuzi, Julius Emiloju, Erhun Obanor

Midfielders: Saturday Erimuya, Azubuike Okechukwu, Usman Mohammed, Stanley Dimgba, Sodiq Popoola, Saviour Godwin

Forwards: Taiwo Awoniyi, Ubong Ekpai, Abdulrahman Taiwo, Nathan Oduwa, Tiongoli Tonbara