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Idris Adesina
El-Kanemi Warriors coach Ladan Bosso believes that the national Under-23 team coach coach Samson Siasia will need the experience of Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi, and Granada striker, Isaac Success, at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
Siasia during the week invited 30 domestic league players to camp for the Olympics but he is expected to add a number of overseas-based players later.
Iwobi has been in good form for the Gunners this season – scoring two goals and creating assists in five games.
Success has also been instrumental in Granada’s campaign in the Spanish La Liga this season.
Former Flying Eagles coach Bosso believes the teenagers will help the country in Rio.
“Nigeria is blessed with many young players outside its shores. Many players are there in Europe that we have yet to see in action but the few that are exceptional deserve to be given the chance to excel with the country,” he said.
“The domestic league players invited by Siasia were expected to be on his list because they worked hard for the country’s qualification for the Olympics. But the experience that the overseas-based players will bring cannot be quantified.
“Siasia should consider Alex Iwobi and Isaac Success. The players have the experience of playing at top clubs and have been quite consistent.
“Success has been quite unlucky with the national team because anytime he is to be invited he would have a knock or an injury to nurse. But this season has been different and he has been able to establish himself with his club. I believe his experience along with a player like Kelechi Iheanacho, who I know is a certain for the Olympics, will do the team a lot of good.
“For Iwobi, it is quite difficult for a player to impress a top manager like Arsene Wenger. Iwobi has been able to do that and he has also been able to bench some of Arsenal’s regular players and has also scored some goals.
“He distinguished himself when he played for the Super Eagles. He showed what he could do. His experience will be good in either the midfield or the attack. With such players (Iwobi and Success), Nigeria can go for gold in Brazil.”
Bosso believes Nigeria will qualify from their group but called for adequate preparations and motivation for the team.
Nigeria are in Group B along with Japan, Colombia and Sweden.
“The group will be quite tough but the boys will be up to the task. Nigeria and Japan are no strangers to each other at the Olympics. Colombia and Sweden have good players in their youth teams, so it won’t be an easy ride for Nigeria. But with good preparations and motivation, the boys can go beyond the group and win the second football gold this year,” he added.
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