Nigeria U-23 team coach Samson Siasia has confirmed the availability of Chelsea and Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo for the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil even as he divulged that Godfrey Oboabona has been ruled out.
Siasia sounded positive that the Nigerian team will do well with the set of players he has assembled, insisting that the absence of some key players will not so much affect their performance in Rio.
"I have been there before and won a silver medal and I know how difficult it is to go far," Siasia told Completesportsnigeria.com. "We will go to Rio and hopefully, we will do well. Anything other than the gold will not be good for us. It will be difficult but we shall do our best and see how it goes.
"We are hopeful that if the majority of those we invited turn up, I can tell you that we would compete favourably in Rio. I can tell you that I have assurances from players that they will be available for the games."
Chelsea Retain Mikel, Moses, Omeruo For New Season He listed those who have been cleared by their clubs to include Super Eagles keeper Daniel Akpeyi, Aminu Umar, Godwin Saviour, Shehu Abdullahi, Mikel Agu, Stanley Amuzie, Kenneth Omeruo, Moses Simon, Ezekiel Imoh, Wilfred Ndidi, Dele Alampasu, Musa Mohammed and Junior Ajayi.
Others are Taiwo Awoniyi, Kingsly Madu, skipper Azubuike Okey, Oghenekaro Etebor, Troost Ekong, Stanley Dimgba, Erhun Obanor, Emmanuel Daniel, Yusuf Mohammed and Julius Emiloju.
Mikel Obi and Odion Ighalo are yet to be given the green light by their respective clubs to go to the Olympics. Siasia is confident that two of them will be released.