By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 29, 2022

Players and officials of Tanzania Junior Taifa Stars are optimistic about ending the dream of Nigeria’s U23 team, the Olympic Eagles, when they clash this afternoon at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

Both teams played 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam, last Saturday, and goals are needed today in Ibadan to separate them and determine which side goes ahead to face the winner of the fixture between Uganda and Guinea in the ultimate round before the continental finals slated for Morocco.

Speaking with journalists after their training at the Olubadan Stadium, Ibadan, an official of the Tanzania Junior Taifa Stars declared that they are in Ibadan to end the dream of the Olympics Eagles and cause more havoc for Nigerian football.

“We are here to stop the Olympics Eagles. We have players who are capable of shooting down the Nigerians, and I am optimistic we will laugh last at the end of the match.

“We are told this is the first time a Nigerian national team is playing here (Ibadan) after a very long time. It will end in tears for Nigerian fans tomorrow (today),” the official said.

The East Africans, who arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday, spent a night in Lagos before hitting Ibadan on Thursday. They were lodged at the Carlton Gate Hotel.

The visitors had their first warm-up session on Thursday at the Olubadan Stadium to shake off jet lag. They were expected to have a feel of the Lekan Salami Stadium turf yesterday evening.

The Tanzania Ambassador in Nigeria, Dr Benson Alfred Bana, visited the team at their camp in Ibadan on Thursday, where he assured the players of good support in today’s tie.

Match officials from Togo arrived in Ibadan on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Sports Ministry and the Oyo State Government have put in place adequate arrangements for the Olympics Eagles to triumph in today’s match.

As part of efforts to boost the players’ morale, the Chairman, of Nigeria Football Federation Task Force on Youth Competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi, last week, pledged the sum of $20,000 for the Olympic Eagles to beat Tanzania in the first leg in Dar es Salaam. The Nigerians played a 1-1 draw.

It was not clear yesterday if Kurfi’s $20,000 cash gift is still available for the players in today’s second leg in Ibadan.

Source The Guardian Nigeria

Posted October 29, 2022

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