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Anichebe will be aiming for Olympic gold in Beijing
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Everton striker Victor Anichebe has been confirmed as part of Nigeria’s squad for the Olympic Games football tournament, which starts on 6 August.
The 19-year-old will miss the start of the Toffees’ season, including the Premier League match against Blackburn on 16 August.
Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has included 17 players under the age of 23 for the tournament in Beijing.
Peter Osaze Odemwingie is the only over-aged player in the squad.
Israel-based goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama striker Ikechukwu Uche of Spanish club Getafe have both been left out, due to their club’s refusal to release them.
Despite initial concerns over the condition of his heart, Efe Ambrose has been included by Siasia, after the defender was cleared to play for the “Dream Team IV”.
With five members of the senior national team in the Olympic squad, Siasia is confident his players are capable of going all the way in Beijing.
“I think we have the squad capable of showing the world they are good enough for the gold medal,” said Siasia.
“The entire nation is banking on this set of players, and we can only do our best to ensure they are not disappointed.”
The 1996 Olympic gold medallists are in Group B at the Beijing tournament alongside Holland, USA and Japan.
The squad is currently training in South Korea.
Nigeria Squad:
Coach: Samson Siasia
Goalkeepers: Ambrose Vanzekin (Akwa United), Ezenwa Ikechukwu (Ocean Boys)
Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Olympic Marseille, France), Onyekachi Apam (OGC Nice, France) Adeleye Ayodele (Sparta Rotterdam, Holland), James Monday (Bayelsa United), Adefemi Olubayo (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel), Ambrose Efe (Kaduna United), Chibuzor Okonkwo (Bayelsa United)
Midfielders: Sani Kaita (Sparta Rotterdam), Isaac Promise (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Ajilore Olufemi (Groningen, Holland), Ekpo Emmanuel (Columbus Crew, USA)
Strikers: Peter Osaze Odemwingie (Locomotive Moscow, Russia), Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy), Victor Anichebe (Everton, England), Okoronkwo Solomon (Hertha Berlin, Germany),Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (Hoffenheim, Germany)
On standby: Olufemi Oladapo, Abwo Solomon, Okoronwanta Bernard, Akpeyi Daniel
