Paris 2024: Tanzania U23 Team, Match Officials Storm Ibadan
The delegation of U-23 Men’s National Team of Tanzania, who play Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles in a crucial U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Ibadan, Oyo State on Saturday, have arrived the sprawling city and are looking forward to having a feel of the Lekan Salami Stadium turf on Friday evening.
Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam on the 22nd of October. The winner of the fixture will go on to face the winner of the match between Uganda and Guinea in the ultimate round, before the continental finals slated for Morocco in 13 months’ time.
Match officials from Togo have also arrived, as all arrangements have been concluded by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Oyo State Government for the big match.
Head Coach of the Olympic Eagles, Salisu Yusuf, says his boys are primed for a decisive victory when the match kicks-off at 4pm on Saturday.
“We went to Tanzania to win but it was just not possible. The boys really worked hard and I must commend them for their efforts,” Yusuf said. “However, we have been working hard on our weak points and believe we will get the job done on Saturday.”
“The entire team is happy with the hospitality from the Oyo State Government. We are happy to be able to focus entirely on the match without any distractions.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Togolese official Aklesso Gnama as match referee, with his compatriots Komlan Domenyo Adiwotso, Jonathan Koffi Ahonto and Komlanvi Aklassou in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and reserve referee respectively.
Alim Konate Aboubakar from Cameroon will serve as match commissioner, with Bechir Hassani from Tunisia in the role of referee assessor.
Chidi Nwoke/NFF.
