Nigeria’s U23 boys have started intensive training sessions in the city of Asaba ahead of Tuesday’s make-or-break Africa U23 Cup of Nations final qualifying clash against Sudan.
Thursday’s first leg encounter at the Al Merriekh Stadium in Omdurman ended 1-0 in favour of the Sudanese, whose contingent flew into Abuja on Sunday afternoon, on their way to Asaba.
The Imama Amapakabo charges had their first feel of the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Sunday morning and were scheduled to train again on Sunday evening and Monday evening.
Cup holders Nigeria have now welcomed to camp midfield lubricator Kelechi Nwakali, who missed Thursday’s opening leg, and Amapakabo is happy to have the former U17 World Cup-winning captain strengthen his squad for Tuesday’s battle.
Nigeria, who overturned a two-goal deficit against Libya in the earlier round, winning 4-0 at the same venue, are confident of erasing the one-goal deficit from Omdurman and soaring over Sudan to the 3rd Africa U23 Cup of Nations holding in Egypt, 8th – 22nd November.
The two finalists in Egypt will fly Africa’s flag at the Men’s Football Tournament of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
