Rio Olympics: U-23 Eagles draw Sweden, Colombia, Japan

Nigeria U-23 Eagles have been drawn against continental champions Sweden and Japan as well as South American representative, Columbia in Group B of the football event of the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

The Samson Siasia-led U-23 Eagles who emerged as African Champions last year in Senegal were lucky to escape a being grouped alongside super heavyweight hosts Brazil, Mexico and Argentina.

The men’s football event of the Rio Olympics will be from August 4 to 20.

Read also: Osimhen hits Flying Eagles’ camp for Burundi

Nigeria have won the gold medal in the men’s football event of the Olympics in 1996 in Atlanta and finished in second place in Beijing 2008.

Sweden are the European tournament winners, Japan won the Asian version of the qualifiers, while Colombia beat USA in an intercontinental playoff to qualify for Rio.

Sweden won last year’s European U21 Championship in the Czech Republic after they defeated Portugal on penalties after a goalless draw in the final.

Sweden won the 1948 Olympics Gold while Rio will be Japan’s 10th appearance at the Olympics.

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