Arsenal’s Iwobi pulls out of Nigeria’s Rio Olympics squad, coach Siasia disappointed.
Arsenal’s Nigerian young superstar Alex Iwobi will not represent his country at the Summer Olympic Games to be held in Brazil next month.
Iwobi is the second talent to pull out of the squad after Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho pulled out upon his new coach Pep Guardiola’s demand.
Iwobi was in coach Samson Siasia’s provisional 35-man squad announced on 24 June.
Siasia has expressed his disappointment at Iwobi’s inavailability, saying he failed to keep his promise.
“Alex Iwobi is not coming. I tried to call his father, but he wasn’t picking my calls. He used to call me frequently when he wanted his son to play for the country, but now that we need his son for the Olympics football tournament, he is not picking my calls,” lamented Siasia.
“But there is no problem, Alex remains my boy, I love him like my own son, but I am just disappointed that he and his father couldn’t keep the promises they made to me.”
Meanwhile, veteran Chelsea midfielder and Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel will play for his country at the Rio games.
“Mikel has confirmed his availability,” Siasia disclosed.
