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Mikel Obi gets juicy position in Team Nigeria to 2016 Olympics
Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has been named as the captain of Team Nigeria to the 2016 Olympics holding in Rio, Brazil, this is according to a statement released by the Ministry of Sports Tuesday afternoon.
The Chelsea midfielder will be assisted by Nigerian Table Tennis female star, Funke Oshonaike.
Mikel Obi was named in Nigeria’s final 18-man football squad for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
The 29-year-old is one of the squad’s permitted quota of three players over the age limit of 23.
Watford’s Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City and Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi miss out having not been released by their clubs.
The men’s tournament – won by Mexico at London 2012 – begins on 3 August, two days before the opening ceremony.
However, Mikel is excited by the prospect of playing in Brazil, posting on his Instagram page: “First part of Chelsea pre-season done. Off to Atlanta to join the Nigeria team for the Olympics 2016.”
Nigeria have been drawn in Group B of the Rio Games alongside Sweden, Colombia and Japan.
Nigeria Olympic squad:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa FC, South Africa), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers)
Defenders: Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia), William Troost-Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway), Ndifreke Udo (Abia Warriors), Saturday Erimuya (Kayseri Erciyespor, Turkey), Abdullahi Shehu (CF Uniao, Portugal), Muenfuh Sincere (Rhapsody FC), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Okechukwu Azubuike (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Usman Muhammed (CF Uniao, Portugal), Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense FC, Portugal), Sodiq Saliu (Seraing FC, Belgium)
Forwards: Aminu Umar (Osmalispor, Turkey), Imoh Ezekiel (Al Arabi, Qatar), Sadiq Umar (AS Roma, Italy), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia)
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