AFCONQ U23: Nigeria’s Olympics Eagles Suffer Defeat Against Guinea

AFCONQ U23: Nigeria’s Olympics Eagles Suffer Defeat Against Guinea

Ibitoye Shittu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:29 PM
  • Nigeria will not be playing at the 2023 Under-23 African Cup of Nations after losing the qualifiers against Guinea
  • Losing the qualifiers against Guinea means that the Dream Team won't participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics
  • Nigerians have however been expressing their annoyance calling for the sacking of coach Salisu Yusuf

Nigeria's Under-23 team have missed the chance to qualify for the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Morocco after losing 2-0 the second leg of their qualifiers against Guinea on Tuesday night, 28 March.

Going into this game, Salisu Yusuf and his wards knew that they must avoid a defeat following their goalless draw in the first leg in Abuja, but they disappointed Nigerian football fans.

Plateau United defender Christopher Nwaeze was unable to make the trip with the Under-23 team following his red card in the first fixture in Abuja.

Salisu Yusuf, Super Eagles, Under-23
AFCONQ U23: Nigeria's Olympic Eagles suffer defeat against Guinea
Source: Getty Images

However, coach Salisu Yusuf replaced him with Babatunde who was unable to save his goalkeeper from conceding.

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Goalless in the first half

The Nigerian Under-23 players did not concede any goal in the first half, but Guinea came out stronger in the second half and scored two goals in the 61st and 72nd minutes.

As things stand now, Nigeria will not play at the 2023 Under-23 African Cup of Nations and also in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Musa gets 109 caps for Nigeria

Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how Ahmed Musa is now the most capped Super Eagles player following his appearance for the three-time African champions in their win over Guinea-Bissau on Monday night, March 27.

Jose Peseiro and his wards recorded a 1-0 win over the hosts in the return leg of their double header and returned to the top of the table with nine points after four games.

Musa made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2010 and was also part of the squad that won the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Even though many critics have been claiming that Musa should hang his international boots, the former Premier League star has made it clear that he will continue to play.

Musa revealed that he doesn't bother himself by what critics say adding that he only wants to continue doing his best when called upon.

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Ibitoye Shittu
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NigeriaNigeria Football Federation (NFF)