U23 AFCONQ Sudan 1 Nigeria 0 : Dream Team VII Suffer Narrow Loss In Omdurman

Nigeria's U-23 Eagles on Thursday evening lost 1-0 to hosts Sudan in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics football event qualifier at the Al Merriekh Stadium in Omdurman.

The winners over two legs will qualify for the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The Nigeria U-23 Eagles had a couple of chances to score in the first half but the duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Stephen Odey were guilty of missing them.

Awoniyi was fouled in the Sudanese penalty area in the 38th minute but the referee refused to award a spot kick to the Nigerians.

The hosts scored through Walaa El Din just before the half time break.

Nigeria goalkeeper Adamu Abubakar saved superbly from a counter attack by the Sudanese two minutes into the second half.

The Nigerians made three second half substitutions geared towards finding an equaliser with the ineffectual Awoniyi one of the key players making way and replaced by Sunday Adetunji.

The Nigeria U-23 Eagles never  restored parity as the match ended 1-0 advantage Sudan.

The second leg holds next Tuesday at the Stephen Keshi stadium, Asaba.

Izuchukwu Okosi