U23 Afcon qualifiers: Kennedy Boboye defends Salisu Yusuf’s roster for Guinea clash

Nigeria U23 assistant coach Kennedy Boboye has described the allegations of invited players above the age limit and inactive as a plot to distract the team from its quest to qualify for the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria will welcome Guinea in Abuja on March 22 in their third qualifying round of the 2023 Africa U23 Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the winners on aggregate securing a ticket to Morocco.

To reach this final qualifying stage, the 1996 champions defeated the Tanzania U23 team 3-1 on aggregate in October 2022, winning 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan after a stalemated the first leg in Dar es Salaam at 1-1.

The Olympic Eagles were champions in 2015 but failed to defend their title in Egypt after crashing out of the group stage and the NPFL title winning coach feels the news was aimed at unsettling the country’s qualification quest.

“We [the technical crew] were stunned reading the news, and I must state here that the report is malicious,” he told soccernet.

“That story should not be taken seriously because it is a ploy to distract the team ahead of the all-important match against the Guineans. I have spoken to coach Salisu, and we have agreed that it will not derail our target of getting the U23 Afcon ticket.

“We [members of the coaching crew] are solidly behind him; if he succeeds, we are a part of it, and if the reverse happens, we will all take responsibility.

“I am bold to inform you that the players called up are within the required bracket, and those we believe will get the job done. As it concerns their level of fitness, whoever is called upon on match day will give their 100%.

“We appear to be favourites, but Guinea can be dangerous because they will present a solid squad. I won’t predict the score line because it would not be an easy match, but they should be scared of us.

“We will give them respect, and we won’t make the mistake of underrating them.”