Nigeria to resume camp for 2016 Olympic football qualifiers

Nigeria's Under-23 men's football team would resume camp on May 25 for the 2016 Olympic Games, the team spokesperson has said.

Timi Ebikagboro, the media officer of Nigeria's U-23 team, on Monday said the Nigerian side would be resuming ahead of the qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games scheduled for Rio in Brazil, reports Xinhua.

The Nigerian team had been on break since April 17, after securing a spot at the 2015 All-Africa Games (AAG) scheduled for Congo-Brazzaville.

Ebikagboro said players would be selected for camping based on merit, while the overseas-based ones would be invited to reinforce the team if the need arose.

According to him, players who have not measured up will be dropped for those who can add value to the team.

The team spokesperson said the players should not see their qualification for the AAG as the ultimate.

Nigeria failed to qualify for either of the men and women events of the 10th AAG in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2011.

The West African nation team also failed to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London.