By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by host, Tanzania U-23 team at Benjamin Nkapa Stadium Dar-es-Salam today (Saturday) in the first leg of the qualifying match for the 2023 U-23 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which will serve as
qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games football event.
Team captain, Success Makanjuola put Nigeria ahead in the first half from the spot after the center referee spotted infringement against Tanzania and quickly awarded a penalty to Nigeria which Makanjuola stepped forward to convert.
The Coach Salisu Yusuf tutored team held onto the lead to the end of the first half and were cruising to an important away victory but Tanzania was also awarded a penalty of their own in the 81st minute which they dispatched to tie the first leg at 1-1.
Prompt News Online can confirm that the Nigerian delegation of 18 players and nine officials including coach Yusuf, some of his assistants and the team secretary, Tayo Egbayelo, MON, will depart Tanzania Saturday night aboard Kenya Airways which will fly them to Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nairobi.
The team which has camped in Ibadan, Oyo state capital for less than two weeks played two test matches at their training ground at Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan against VIA Football Academy, Ibadan and later Shooting Stars Sports Club before traveling to Tanzania.
Meanwhile, Coach Yusuf is expected to beef up his squad with some foreign-based players like Charles Faez Akanbi who plays in the BUCS Premier North Division in England who is among 12 players who have been training at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, venue of the return leg tie on Saturday, October 29, 2022.
OLYMPIC EAGLES TO TANZANIA
Goalkeepers: Nathaniel Nwosu; John Amah
Defenders: Daniel Bamayi; Christopher Nwenze; Isaiah Ejeh; Dominion Ohaka; Evan Ogbonda; Michael Inainfe
Midfielders: Olashile Akinniran; Ibrahim Auwalu; Qudus Akanni; Oluwatimilehin Ogunniyi; Oluwapelumi Adeyemo
Forwards: Daniel Wotlai; Edidiong Ezekiel; Munir Idris; Success Makanjuola; Promise David.
