Abuja, Jun 25 (IANS): Nigeria's Under-23 football team will open its training camp in the United States ahead of the forthcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Friday its decision was at the behest of coach Samson Siasia who opted for Atlanta, venue of Nigeria's historic triumph in the Olympics football event 20 years ago, in order to "psychologically prepare" his boys for victory in Brazil, reports Xinhua.
Nigeria have named a 35-man provisional squad which includes Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel ahead of the camping.
The team will also play a number of friendlies while preparing hard for the Olympic football event, the local football federation said, adding the training programme would make it easier for the U-23 team's handlers to draw a final list of 18 players for the competition.