Kingsley Sokari and Semiu Liadi were able to beat Friday’s deadline handed to the domestic cadre of five fresh call-ups to the Nigeria Under-23 team camp in Port-Harcourt.
Warri Wolves defender Liadi trained with the squad in Friday’s morning session having arrived early enough and at about 2pm, Sokari was visible at the Hotel Presidential base of the team.
The duo later took part in the evening session at the Liberation stadium pitch. Coach Samson Siasia said he favoured the choice of Liberation stadium because he is privy of the fact that the pitch in Pointe Noire is artificial.
The tactician has however urged the last of the fresh home-based invitees- Abia Warriors defender Ndifreke Effiong- not to bother to report to camp any longer, after failing to beat the deadline.
In the meantime, Siasia expects the overseas-based duo of Umar Aminu and Shehu Abdullahi to report to camp on Monday as their letters of invitation have been forwarded to their respective clubs.
The Dream Team VI defeated Congo 2-1 in an Africa U-23 Championship qualifier last weekend and will travel to Pointe Noir for a crucial reverse scheduled for 2 August.
Sokari missed the first leg because of late arrival to camp, in the process of trying to sort out his much reported but ‘now-shaky’ transfer to Esperance of Tunisia.
The three best teams from the 2015 Africa Under-20 Championship will advance into the Football Tournament of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
