By Gbenga Jolaosho
Abuja
Newly appointed national under -23 football chief coach, Samson Siasia is set to begin shopping for players, declaring that local players will form the nucleus of his team.
Siasia, who was confirmed as the under -23 team coach last Thursday by Nigeria Football Federation, says he will be having an open camp in a bid to rake best legs in the team.
The former Super Eagles attacking midfielder has in his contract the mandate to raise a squad for the 2015 All Africa Games slated for Congo Brazzaville and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
He says because there are no players on ground, he will be having an open screening exercise where interested players are expected to participate.
The 47-year-old former Flying Eagles coach reckon that only Kelechi Iheanacho, the 2013 Under-17 World Cup Most Valuable Player, may be considered for automatic shirt in the newly to be formed U23 team.
“We have already started discussion with the NFF on how to start the task given to us, and since we don’t have any existing team for the Under-23, we just want to scout, and do an open trial as soon as we agree on it.
“That’s what I have discussed with Emmanuel Ikpeme (Director of technical at the NFF) and the General Secretary. And we’ll start as soon as they agree because I have already told them when we want to start,” said Siasia.
“As you know, we have to take a look at some good ones we can call up from the Flying Eagles and others from various clubs in our local league, and wherever. But we intend to have majority of the home-based players in the proposed team.
“So once NFF gives approval to our programme we will start scouting for those players we think have the talent and put them aside for final screening.”
Siasia, who is to be assisted by Fatai Amoo, was in-charge of the U23 team that won the silver medal in the football event of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in China, but his successor and former Eagles teammate Austin Eguavoen couldn’t qualify Nigeria for the 2012 Olympics in London.
