Nigeria’s Under-23 side will be hoping to begin their title defence on a winning note as they confront Libya in the first leg of the Africa Under-23 qualifier at the Ben Guerdane Stadium in Tunisia today (Wednesday).
The encounter is expected to kick-off at 3 pm Nigerian time and the Dream Team VIII must avoid a wide margin defeat that could jeopardize their chances of qualifying for the tournament.
Head coach of the team, Imama Amapakabo will be banking on some of the experienced foreign-based players such as Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Nwakali, Kingsley Michael, Orji Okonkwo, Chidera Ezeh and Samuel Chukwueze to shoulder the goalscoring responsibilities against a Libyan team that would be hoping to create an upset.
Meanwhile, CAF has appointed Ghana’s Daniel Laryea as centre referee to officiate the match and he will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Acheampong Brobbey as the assistant referee 1 while Emmanuel Allou is assistant referee 2 and Adaar Abdul Latif is the fourth official.
Africa’s flag-bearers in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament of Tokyo 2020 will emerge during the 3rd Africa U-23 Cup of Nations to hold in Egypt 8th – 22nd November this year.