U23 AFCON Qualifiers: Makanjuola stars as Olympic Eagles earn draw in Tanzania

Success Makanjuola was the hero for the Nigeria’s under 23 national team as they were held to 1-1 draw in Tanzania in the first leg of African U23 qualifiers on Saturday.

The match decorated by spot kicks in Dar el Salaam, the Tanzania capital saw both sides sharing control of the game as they equally did to the result.

Coach Salisu Yusuf led side made a struggling start in the opening stages of the match as they had to contend with the troubling pace of Tanzanians before surviving the early pressures and settled well into the contest.

The West Africans would then share possession of the match and chances created with Makanjuola, and Daniel Wotlai causing more menace for the hosts.

The goal came for the Dream Team with a minute before the half hour mark when Remo Stars’ winger, Qudus Akanni was upended in the box and captain Makanjuola converted from the spot to give Nigeria half time lead.

After the restart, Tanzania raised their game in push for the equalizer but the Olympic Eagles were up to the task.

The hosts would then be credited for their persistency with less than 15 minutes to end the game when they won a spot kick of their own and goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu could not keep it out.

The scoreline remained same till the full time as the Nigeria ran out with a morale boosting result heading to the second leg.

The Dream Team will host Tanzania next weekend at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan where they hope to pick the needed win enough to see them qualify for the main tournament next year.