Nigeria’s U-23 men’s team, the Olympic Eagles, will now play host to the Guinea U-23 team at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Wednesday, March 22, in the final round of qualifiers for the 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.
The first leg of the double-header between the Olympic Eagles and their Guinean counterpart was initially scheduled for the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on the same date but will now be played in the nation’s capital, with the second leg to be played in Morocco on Monday, March 27.
Oguniyi Omojesu and Success Makanjuola scored goals to help the Salisu Yusuf-led team advance to this round as they defeated the Young Taifa Stars of Tanzania 2-0 in the second leg in Ibadan. Although they initially played out a 1-1 stalemate in Der es Salaam, they still advanced with a 3-1 aggregate score.
Earlier this week, the 61-year-old head coach invited 30 players to camp ahead of the tie, with a list that included four goalkeepers, eight defenders, 10 midfielders, and eight forwards.
The winner of the two-legged clash between the Olympic Eagles and the Guineans will book a spot in the U-23 AFCON scheduled for Morocco from November 2–26.
The eight-team tournament also serves as the qualification process for Africa’s representatives at next year’s Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, as the top three teams will fly the continent’s flag in Paris, France.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: John Amah (Sunshine Stars); Nurudeen Badmus (Dakkada FC); Ifeanyi Nchekwube (Akwa United); Oriya Joseph (Lobi Stars)
Defenders: Christopher Nwaeze (Plateau United); Desmond Ojietefian (Shooting Stars); Okechukwu Chikason (Enyimba FC); Anthony Anieke (Akwa United); Samuel Olamilekan (Niger Tornadoes); Benjamin Tanimu (Bendel Insurance); Evans Ogbonda (Port Harcourt City); Umar Ahmed Farouk (Gombe United)
Midfielders: Daniel Wotlai (Abia Warriors); Akanni Qudus (Remo Stars); Auwalu Naziru (Rangers Int’l); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Enyimba FC); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Taofeek Malomo (Shooting Stars); Samuel Chisom (Kwara United); Samaila Sarki (Bendel Insurance); Kumaga Suur (Lobi Stars); Inye Green (Ibani United)
Forwards: Munir Idris (Niger Tornadoes); Ahmed Jimoh (Kwara United); Ezekiel Edidiong (Remo Stars); Ifeanyi Ogba (Akwa United); Umar Ibrahim (El-Kanemi Warriors); Alkasin Deji Yusuf (Dakkada FC); Mojereola Suleiman (Sunshine Stars); Akile Monday (Lobi Stars)
