Siasia banks on Aminu

Coach of the U-23 team, Samson Siasia

National Under-23 team coach Samson Siasia is planning to start Turkey-based forward Umar Aminu in Sunday’s CAF Under-23 Championship clash against Congo in Pointe Noire, according to AfricanFootball.com.

Aminu saw only seven minutes of action in the first leg match in Port Harcourt a fortnight ago, but still showed his class, helping Nigeria beat Congo 2-1.

A draw will take Nigeria to the final African qualification stage for the 2016 Olympics, an eight-nation tournament in Senegal with the top three finishers securing tickets to Rio 2016.

Enyimba winger Daniel Etor is likely to be replaced by the Osmanlispor player.

Skipper Azubuike Okechukwu could also lose his place in the starting line-up to Kingsley Sokari, who did not feature in the first encounter.

The change in midfield is to allow FC Taraba skipper Usman Mohammed to fully express himself after a subdued performance in the first leg. He was forced to track back to help Okechukwu in the defence.

Supreme FC of Abuja defender Sincere Seth has recovered from a thigh injury and will take his place at right-back after Atanda Sodiq filled in for him in the Port Harcourt match.

Abia Warriors central defender Erhun Obanor could also lose his place to Warri Wolves ace Semiu Laide, who was drafted to the squad after the first leg.

Siasia is also thinking of starting strikers Junior Ajayi and Taiwo Awoniyi in the game.

The team arrived in Pointe Noire on Friday ahead of the game.

Siasia vowed to attack Congo to enable   Nigeria to qualify for the second leg of a third-round qualifier for the 2016 Olympics.

“We will attack because we want to win in Congo , not avoid defeat,” AFP quoted Siasia a saying.