U.S. picks two Nigerians for Rio 2016 qualifiers

Two Nigerians, Fatai Alashe and Omogbolahan “Gboly” Ariyibi, have been called up by USA U23 team for the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic qualifying championship, reports Africanfootball.com.

Alashe, who plays for San Jose Earthquakes and Ariyibi of Chesterfield, England, are in the 20-man squad released by coach Andi Herzog.

The USA will look to clinch a spot in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The US are drawn in Group A and open with a pair of games at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, against Canada on October 1.

Defending Olympic gold medalists Mexico are joined in Group B by Costa Rica, Haiti and Honduras.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the tournament semifinals, with winners advancing to the final and also clinching spots in the Olympics.

The winners of the third-place game will qualify for a one-game playoff against Colombia in the final opportunity for an Olympic spot.

The US hope to return to the Olympics for the first time since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.