The U23 men’s national team, also known as the Olympic Eagles, has a camping base thanks to the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in advance of this month’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzanian opponents.
The Youth and Sports Development Ministry is responsible for setting up camps and overseeing the U23 men’s and women’s teams’ qualifying campaigns and competitions for the Olympic Games and the African Games.
However, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Friday praised the Ministry for securing the camp because it will help the Olympic Eagles prepare for their qualifying campaign.
The first leg of the match will take place in Tanzania over the weekend of October 21–23, with the return game scheduled for Nigeria on October 29.
The NFF has already set a date for the second leg at Adamasingba’s Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
32 players have accepted invitations from head coach Salisu Yusuf to continue camping in the Oyo State capital this weekend.
Nigeria won the 2015 Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal and went on to earn the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics Men’s Football Tournament.
However, the class of 2019 was denied a spot in the Tokyo Olympics last year because they were unable to advance to the knockout round in Egypt.
In 1996, Nigeria won gold at the Olympic Men’s Football Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia, then 12 years later, in Beijing, China, they earned silver.
