MATCHDAY! Olympic Eagles begin U-23 AFCON title defence against Cote d’Ivoire

Nigeria’s dream team will be kicking off their 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign today (Saturday) when they face Cote d’Ivoire.

The Imama Amapakabo team will begin defence of the title they won four years ago, and also hope to seal qualification for the men’s football event of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Nigeria’s opening Group B game will be at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo in Egypt; and will also face Zambia and South Africa in the other group matches.

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The team will be without captain Azubuike Okechukwu and striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who are yet to join the rest in camp for the tournament, as Kelechi Nwakali will serve as stand-in captain.

“We have players in camp who are ready to give their all and do Nigeria proud any day, any time. We are quietly confident and will take it one match at a time.

“We are quite aware that as defending champions, so much is expected of us. This team will throw everything into the battle and ensure it does not disappoint Nigerians,” Amapakabo said.

The game will kick off 4:00p.m (Nigeria time)

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