Olympic Eagles in big U23 AFCON ticket battle
Cup holders Nigeria
has all to play for to earn a slot in the finals of the U23 Africa Cup of
Nations holding in Egypt in November, as they take the pitch at the Stephen
Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Tuesday trailing Sudan by a lone goal.
A goal seconds to the
end of the first half in Omdurman on Thursday left the Olympic Eagles nursing a
deficit, and Head Coach Imama Amapakabo has said there would be no pulling
punches from kick off on Tuesday.
“We were unlucky to
lose the first leg game, but there is no need crying over spilt milk. Tuesday is
here and the battle must be won. We are the defending champions and we must be
in Egypt to defend our title.”
The Olympic Eagles
have been training in Asaba since arriving in the Delta State capital on Sunday,
and have been strengthened by the arrival of former FIFA U17 World Cup –winning
captain Kelechi Nwakali.
Nwakali will string
things in midfield with captain Azubuike Okechukwu, with Blessing Muyiwa, Sunusi
Ibrahim, Stephen Odey and Taiwo Awoniyi expected to do a better job of putting
away opportunities this time.
Goalkeeper Adamu
Abubakar pulled a number of huge saves in Omdurman, and is expected to start,
with former U17 World Cup winner John Lazarus and Ebube Duru at wing back.
As they file onto the
pitch, Amapakabo’s charges will recall that it was on the same turf they hit
Libya by four goals to nothing in the earlier round, after a two-goal reverse
in Tunisia.
The Confederation of
African Football has appointed Guinean official Bangaly Konate as referee for
the match, to be assisted by his compatriots Mamady Tere (assistant referee 1),
Abdoulaye Sylla (assistant referee 2) and Tawel Younoussa Camara (fourth
official). Mr. Luleseged Begashaw Asfaw from Ethiopia will be the match
commissioner.
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