Alex Iwobi is one of a number of players who have been invited by Nigeria to join them ahead of a friendly next month, with the coach hoping to move closer to knowing his Olympic selection for Rio this summer.
Nigeria’s u23s will play against Brazil on 24th March at the stadium of Kleber Andrade in the city of Cariacica, Vitoria, Espirito Santo.
A statement from Confederacao Brasileira de Fuetobl added “The match will serve as preparation for both teams for their participation in the Olympic Games Rio 2016.”
Samson Siasia, Nigeria’s coach, has called up and invited 30 players for the match, his reasoning being that not all of them will be able to make it.
“For now, I want to assume that I don’t have a team, as every Nigerian player within the age bracket that is good get a chance to fight for a place in my team to the Olympics,” Siasia said.
“I intend to use friendly games like this to try out as many players as I can, so that as we get closer to the games I will have a mental picture of the players I will be taking for my final training camp before the Games.
“For now, I invited this large number of players because I know not all of them will be able to make it even though we have sent out invitation letters to all of them.
“My major concern now is for them to come with letters from their clubs indicating that if they are eventually selected for the Games, their clubs will allow them report to camp when needed.”
Iwobi has two full caps for Nigeria, making his début on 8th October 2015 when he replaced Ahmed Musa in the 57th minute of a friendly against DR Congo that took place in Belgium.
Full list of players called up/invited:
Nigeria-based
1. Emmanuel Daniel
2. Yusuf Mohammed
3. Segun Oduduwa
4. Erhun Obanor
5. Sincere Seth
6. Ndifreke Effiong
7. Ubong Ekpai
8. Bright Onyedikachi
9. Stanley Dimgba
Based overseas
10. Dele Alampasu
11. Stanley Amuzie
12. Usman Mohammed
13. Azubuike Okechukwu
14. Sadiq Popoola
15. Etebo Oghenekaro
16. Saviour Godwin
17. Aminu Umar
18. Alex Iwobi
19. Iyayi Believe
20. Junior Ajayi
21. Taiwo Awoniyi
22. Peter Olayinka
23. Theophilus Solomon
24. Godswill Ekpolo
25. Sergio Uyi
26. Ovbokha Agboyi
27. Nathan Oduwa
28. Musa Mohammed
29. Saturday Ekiego
30. Victor Osimhen