U-23 team, Falcons set to draw bitter rivals

 

April 14, 2015 :

 

 

Coach of the U-23 team, Samson Siasia

The U-23 national team may be pitted against bitter rivals Ghana, Senegal and Egypt at the 2015 All Africa Games.

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi’s brace on Sunday helped the Nigerian side overcome Zambia 2-1 in Lusaka in the second leg of their final qualifier to book a place in the men’s football event of the Games scheduled for Brazzaville, Congo in September. The first leg ended 0-0 in Abuja.

Ghana’s Black Meteors defeated Mozambique 2-1 on aggregate to qualify while Senegal and Egypt saw off Mali and Burundi respectively to book a ticket in Congo. Nigeria failed to qualify for the last edition of the competition after they were knocked out by Ghana on the away goal rule in the final qualifier.

The other countries for the 2015 AAG men’s football event are Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and hosts Congo.

Meanwhile, African champions Super Falcons may also lock horns with familiar foes Ghana, South Africa, Ivory Coast and Cameroon in the women’s football event of the Games. Tanzania, Egypt and the host team complete the teams in the women’s event.

The Falcons have been a dominant force but they failed to also qualify for the 2011 AAG after they were sent packing by Ghana’s Black Queens. They have also recorded losses to Cameroon and South Africa in recent times.

The Nigerian women’s team hammered Mali 9-1 on aggregate to seal a spot in Congo and are hoping to win the women’s gold for the first time in 12 years.

Sports minister, Tammy Danagogo, hailed the U-23 team and the Falcons for putting up fantastic outings in their final qualifiers.

“Most people had given up hope of the (U-23) team qualifying but like the typical Nigerian who never gives up until it is over, they went to Zambia and played their hearts out and came out victorious. They must be commended for their team spirit and determination to succeed,” a statement by the minister’s Special Assistant, Patrick Omorodion, said.

“The Falcons were not left too as they rose to the occasion and showed that the 1-1 they played in Mali was not a true reflection of what makes them the champions of Africa. They were business-like and didn’t want to leave anything to chance.

“I commend the efforts of both teams for the wonderful performance and urge them to redouble their efforts as they prepare for the competition proper. We at the National Sports Commission will play our own part to ensure they get all they need to represent our country creditably.”

Also, Director-General, National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, urged the U-23 team, Falcons and the men’s basketball team, who defeated Burkina Faso to qualify for the Brazzaville 2015 Games, to go all out for the gold medals in their respective categories.

Elegbeleye said, “The NSC is happy with the qualification of our national U- 23 football team, the Super Falcons and the men’s basketball team for this year’s All Africa Games.

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