Nigeria U23 foreign pros fly directly to Brazil

Taiwo Awoniyi called up for Brazil friendly next month

   The Nigeria foreign professionals named for two friendlies against the Brazil Olympic team are to fly directly from their various bases to Brazil.

The players have been ordered to report in Brazil not later than March 20.


On Friday, Nigeria named a 30-man squad that included 21 overseas-based pros for the matches in Cariacica city, Vitoria.

The pros include Taiwo Awoniyi, Etebo Oghenekaro, Musa Mohammed, Umar Aminu, Stanley Amuzie, Dele Alampasu and Azubuike Okechukwu.

Assistant coach Fatai Amoo will take temporary charge of Dream Team VI, as the Nigeria Olympic team are known, after coach Samson Siasia was elevated as caretaker coach of the Super Eagles last week.

The first match is scheduled for March 24 with a second game four days later.

Both countries are preparing for the summer Olympics to be staged by the city of Rio in Brazil.

Nigeria won the 1996 Olympic soccer Gold and were beaten finalists in Beijing 2008, while Brazil are yet to win this event.

The draw for the tournament will be conducted in Rio on April 14.