Ex-Olympic Eagles Femi Ajilore exonerates players ahead of Guinea clash in Morocco

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Ahead of Tuesday’s U-23 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers’ return leg with Guinea in Morocco, former Olympic Eagles star, Oluwafemi Ajilore has exonerated the players of any blame after a 0-0 first leg draw in Abuja.

Nigeria and Guinea played out a 0-0 first leg draw in Abuja last week and put the Olympic Eagles’ qualification on a tightrope ahead of the return leg in Morocco and the former international says the team must some amend.

“We cannot put all the blame on the players because if we check the number of days they use to prepare for this game, it’s very little,” Ajilore told Brila FM.

“They came not quite long and you don’t expect miracles when you don’t prepare well. I think that’s what we have seen. I know that our coaches and stakeholders have learned a lot of lessons even the players themselves now know how hard it is to play at this level.

“With that determination, it can help them and put smiles on the faces of Nigerians in their next game which obviously isn’t going to be easy. I think that is the easiest and the only way they can convince Nigerians.”

Defender, Christopher Nwaeze will miss the return leg in Rabat after his red card in the first leg. The winner of the tie will qualify for the 2023 U-23 AFCON in Morocco which doubles as Africa’s qualifiers for Paris 2024 Olympics.