NIGERIA’S Olympic Eagles were held to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Guinea at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja today.
Success Makanjuola and Timilehin Ogunniyi, who shone against Tanzania in the previous round in Ibadan in October last year, could not reproduce the same performance as Guinea stifled Nigeria’s midfield.
The visitors not only limited Salisu Yusuf’s side, they created chances of their own and could have had a better result.
Nigeria came closest in the 28th minute when Ogunniyi hit the crossbar from a free-kick 20 yards out on the right, but the general performance was underwhelming from the hosts.
Makanjuola also came close but his shot in the 45th minute was pushed to safety by goalkeeper Mory Keita.
In the second half, the visitors came very close when Ousmane Camara hit the upright from a corner kick.
Ifeanyi Ogba then blasted a couple of opportunities wide for Nigeria, and in the 64th minute, Jonathan Alukwu watched in agony as Keita punched away his shot when the Olympic Eagles pushed forward.
Just before full-time, Nigerian defender Christopher Nwaeze was sent off for a second bookable offence, and will miss the return leg in Rabat on Tuesday.
The winners over the two legs on aggregate will qualify for the U-23 AFCON, which will in turn serve as the qualifying tournament for the Paris 2024 Olympics men’s football event.
