Samson Siasia Set To Axe Taiwo Awoniyi; Three Others From U23 Camp

Coach Samson Siasia has expressed disappointment with some of the players he took to South Korea for the four nation tournament, which Nigeria lost two out of the three games played.

The tournament, according to the Nigeria U23 coach, was an eye-opener, after the Dream Team VI

managed just a 3-1 win over Honduras, while losing 1-0 to South Korea and then fell 6-2 to Denmark.

The players, who are likely to be axed from the national U23 team are central defender Erhun Obanor, fullback Stanley Amuzie, striker Taiwo Awoniyi and goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel.

The four players may have played their last game for the Olympic team unless they can find their form in the next series of test games.

Siasia was saddened by the 6-2 defeat to Denmark in the second game that he has vowed to weed out unproductive players in the team. He confessed that he was very disappointed with the performance of the players.

"Siasia is not happy that a player like Taiwo Awoniyi has failed to live up to expectations by not converting the numerous chances that came his way despite his potentials," an official told Goal.

"He is considering dropping him for a more prolific striker unless he bounces back to scoring goals. That is if he considers him for the other friendly games any way."

"The chief coach is also unhappy with the form of goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel, the team’s first choice in goal and he has told him to sit up or be shipped out."

"He is also not happy that Obanor has not seized the opportunity left by injured Segun Oduduwa to lay claim to the central defense position while Stanley Amuzie that he had so much hope in has been given a final warning."

"Siasia told Amuzie that if he refuses to sit up other players from Europe will take his position."

"It was a heart to heart and very blunt meeting Siasia had with members of the team after the team’s 3-1 victory over Honduras in their last match at the Suwon Tournament."

"He told the players bluntly that the Olympic Football Tournament is not child’s play and any player that is not ready should go back to where they came from,” the official concluded."

Siasia has less than two months to put together a team capable of reaching the final in Rio de Janeiro to match the feat of his last team at the Beijing 2008 games.

He is hopeful that the inclusion of youngsters Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi could the magic upfront.