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Emma Jemegah, Asaba
Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, Victor Osimhen have been deployed to assist the U23 Eagles beat their Libyan counterparts in Asaba today.
Nigeria have also chiseled out, defenders Chidozie Awaziem and Valentine Ozornwafor from the senior team to help this particular cause.
Former U-17 World Cup winners Kelechi Nwakali, Samuel Chukwueze and Taiwo Awoniyi, who were in Ben Guerdane, arrived with and have been training with the Olympic Eagles.
A 0-2 loss in the first leg of their second round, first leg encounter against Libya’s U23 squad means Cup holders Nigeria must achieve a high –score win over the North Africans to avoid early elimination from this year’s U23 AFCON finals, and cumulatively next year’s Olympic Games.
Africa’s three flagbearers at the Men’s Football Tournament of next year’s Olympics in Tokyo will emerge from the 3rd Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Egypt in November.
Only a massive win over Libya at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Monday and success in the final round of qualifiers in three months’ time will make Nigeria eligible to defend her title in Egypt, and thus able to fight for an Olympics ticket.
One goal in each half in the Tunisian city of Ben Guerdane on Wednesday, plus a goalkeeper expelled for ball –handling outside the box, was the summary of a poor outing by the Olympic Eagles, and pride and pedigree suggest an all –out attack from the blast of the whistle would be the option for the Nigerians in Asaba.
