U23 AFCONQ Nigeria 0 Guinea 0 : Olympic Eagles walk tightrope after stalemate in Abuja

Nigeria's dreams of making an appearance at the Football event of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games took a massive hit on Wednesday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja as the country's U-23 national team were held to a goalless draw by Guinea in the final rounds of qualifiers to the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. 

The Olympic Eagles were champions in 2015 and have never missed an edition of the continental championship albeit they missed the ticket to the 2020 Olympics. 

The 1996 Olympics champions are coached by Salisu Yusuf who was in charge of the home-based Super Eagles side that failed to qualify for the Africa Nations Championship.

The first half ended on a scoreless note with the U23 Eagles not able to convert the chances that came their way with the defence of Guinea repelling the Eagles.

The Guineans were disciplined in possession but failed to create clear cut scoring chances for themselves barring a late effort saved by goalkeeper Nathaniel Idowu. 

The captain of the Eagles, Success Makanjuola and Ifeanyi Ogba were the closest to get on the scoresheet for Nigeria but both were stopped by an equally excellent Guinea goalkeeper. 

The return leg of the fixtures holds on March 28 with the winner over two legs qualifying for the CAF U-23 AFCON. 

Three African teams will represent the continent at the football event of the 2024 Olympics. 

Izuchukwu Michael

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