Nigeria will on Tuesday in Asaba have to cancel out a 1-0 loss they suffered in Sudan today to progress in the U23 AFCON qualifiers, which also serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In March, coach Imama Amapakabo’s team also had to bounce back from a big loss to Libya to qualify for this final playoff against Sudan.
Hosts Sudan scored a cheeky goal against the run of play just a minute to half time.
Before then the visitors were in full control of this encounter but they failed to put away the several chances they created with Genk striker Stephen Odey the worst culprit.
After the interval, Sudan stepped up their game and threatened the Nigerian goal at least thrice with goalkeeper Adamu Abubakar forced to make a big save on one occasion.
Both foreign-based pros Blessing Olabiran and Sunday Faleye were hauled off in the second half with NPFL hotshot Sunusi Ibrahim lively when he was introduced.
Nigeria are the defending U23 AFCON champions.
Nigeria U23s vs Sudan – Adamu Abubakar – John Lazarus, Ebube Duru, Nda Olisa, Stephen Manyo – Okechukwu Azubuike (captain), Ndifreke Effiong, Muyiwa Blessing (Sunusi Ibrahim), Taiwo Awoniyi, Sunday Faleye (Fatai Gbadamosi), Stephen Odey
