Rio 2016: Siasia picks Mikel Obi, Akpeyi as over-aged players

Head coach of Nigeria’s U-23 team, Samson Siasia, has decided on Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi and South Africa-based goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, as his over-aged players for this year’s Olympic Games.

“Siasia will be going to Rio with only two over-aged players – Mikel and Akpeyi,” an official told AfricanFootball.com.

Turkey-based defender, Godfrey Oboabona and Watford striker, Odion Ighalo, were the other over-aged players who made the provisional 35-man squad.

However, only Mikel Obi and Akpeyi, have made the final 18-man list that Siasia submitted to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) this week.

The team are currently in Atlanta, USA, where they are preparing for the competition next month.