Mikel, Ighalo, Omeruo will stabilize Rio team, says Nwosu

Former Super Eagles Captain, Henry Nwosu, has expressed optimism about the nation’s Under-23 Eagles’ chances in the Rio Olympics. He said the team would progress beyond the group stages if Coach Samson Siasia includes Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo and Kenneth Omeruo, as the three over-aged players.

The U-23 national team is drawn in Group B of the men’s Olympics football event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, alongside Japan, Sweden and Colombia.

Speaking with The Guardian, the former Golden Eaglets handler said the team has clout, but that since the football event gives the teams that qualified the opportunity to feature three over-aged players, it means that the country is duty-bound to select players that will make the difference.

“In my own estimation, I think Mikel, Ighalo and Omeruo will bring balance into the team. I know we have a strong team already going by their performance at the U-23 Nations Cup in Senegal, which they won, but I still think that the inclusion of these players will make a lot of difference, making the team more solid and balanced.

“It is, however, necessary we do this in the three departments of the team; talking about the defence, midfield and the attack. The inclusion of Mikel in the midfield will be something to behold, Omeruo’s experience in the defence will guide the young lads and then Ighalo’s exploit in the English Premiership will be vital for us qualifying from the group stage of the event.”

Recall that 20 years ago in Atlanta ’96, the Nwankwo Kanu-led team won the gold by defeating one of the favourites, Argentina, 2-0 in the final. The Nigerian team dubbed Dream Team trounced Brazil and Mexico along the way to bag Africa’s first gold in the football tournament. Cameroun was to later repeat Nigeria’s feat in Sydney, Australia in 2000.