By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s U23 team on Wednesday evening, yielded to a goalless draw against visiting Guinea, in the first leg U23 Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying match played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The Nigeria team also known as, ‘Olympic Eagles’ failed to take advantage of home soil, as they fluffed all scoring chances in both halves of the encounter.
Success Makanjuola and Timilehin Ogunniyi, who ran Tanzania out of gas in Ibadan in October last year, could not produce the same fiery performance, as Guinea stifled Nigeria’s midfield play, created chances of their own and were solid at the rear.
In the 28th minute, Ogunniyi rocked the crossbar from a free-kick 20 yards out on the right, but that turned out the major effort of the Olympic Eagles in a tepid game that did not quite live up to its billing.
Makanjuola’s Inswinger in the 45th minute, was parried from danger by Goalkeeper Mory Keita.
In the second half, the visitors came quite close, when Ousmane Camara, hit the upright from a corner kick. IfeanyiAlukwu, blasted a couple of opportunities wide, and in the 64th minute, Jonathan Alukwu watched in agony, as Keita punched away his shot when Nigeria flowed forward.
On the dot of time, Nigerian Defender,Christopher Nwaeze, was handed the red card for a second bookable offence, and will miss the return leg in Rabat Morocco on Tuesday March 27.
Nigeria’s senior men side, Super Eagles, will also face the Guineans on Friday in another 2023 AFCON qualifier ahead of 2024 finals.
Thereafter, they will head to Morocco, for the second leg also scheduled for Tuesday next week.
