Mikel:I want to play at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Mikel John Obi

Chelsea star Mikel Obi has revealed a deep-lying desire to star for the national U-23 male team, Dream Team VI, at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Obi’s wish is themed on being selected as one of three over-aged players to be part of the team, according to the rules of the tournament.

Obi, 28, has won almost every major trophy at stake, including the UEFA Champions League and English Premier League, but, has, so far, missed out on playing at the Olympics.

Incidentally, Coach Samson Siasia, who left him out of his 2008 Beijing Olympics squad after he had stayed away from the qualifiers for the competition is the one who is handling the current side.

“He has made it clear he wishes to play at the Rio Olympics,” a top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) revealed, “but it is left for the coach to pick those he would want to be the senior players for the side he will take to Brazil next year.”

For the 2008 Olympics, Siasia took along Ozase Odemwingie and Victor Anichebe as overage players.

Nigeria, back under Siasia, will lead Algeria and South Africa to the 2016 Olympics in August of the same year, after they clinched the U23 AFCON in Senegal at the weekend.