Nigeria Olympic Eagles’ U-23 AFCON qualifier against Guinea has a new date

The team has made four appearances in the Olympics, winning gold in 1996, silver in 2008, and bronze in 2016.

Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have been given a new date and location to face Guinea in their U-23 AFCON qualifiers.

According to reports, the Salisu Yusuf-led team will meet Guinea in the first round of their 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations match at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on March 22.

When Nigeria plays the French-speaking nation in a reversal match on Monday, March 27, the 1996 champions will continue to pursue their goal of winning a second Olympic football gold medal.

Since no stadium in Guinea has been approved by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, to host international matches, the game is most likely to be played in Morocco.

However, the match against Guinea, which will be held in Morocco later this year, will decide who of Nigeria and Guinea advances to the 4th Africa U23 Cup of Nations.

The overall champions will earn a spot in the U-23 AFCON, which will be hosted in Morocco later in the year.

Recall that in the second leg of the match against Tanzania at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam in October 2022, penalties in each half and at opposite ends ensured a stalemate. However, a free-kick by Timilehin Ogunniyi and a second penalty by captain Success Makanjuola in the return leg in Ibadan allowed the Eagles to advance to the third round with a 3-1 aggregate score.

Nigeria won the tournament in 2015 after defeating Algeria 1-nil in the final. South Africa, who finished third, and the two finalists all earned Olympic spots.