The national men’s under-23 team's qualification for the football event of the 11th All Africa Games will see them slug it out with Egypt, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Sudan and host Congo-Brazzaville for the gold medal at the Africa sports fiesta this September.
Coach Samson Siasia and his wards were able to see off a spirited Zambian under-23 side 2-1 on aggregate after a hard earned 2-1 away win at the National Heroes Stadium last weekend.
Nigeria and Zambia drew 0-0 in the first leg at the National Stadium Abuja, but were able to turn the tables in Lusaka through a brace by Taiwo Awoniyi to book their passage to the event.
The Dream Team make a return to the All Africa Games after recent failure to qualify for the last event in Algiers in 2011.
The Falcons, who have also qualified for the event after hammering Mali 8-0 at the National Stadium, Abuja for a 9-1 aggregate win will have their hands full against Cameroun, Tanzania, South Africa, Cameroun, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau.
Nigeria will also meet Mali next month for the qualifiers of the 2016 Rio Olympics. The winner of that tie will book a ticket to for the games in Brazil.
Nigeria’s Falcons failed to qualify for the last All Africa Games female football event as well as the Olympics in London.
Dream Team opponents:
Egypt, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Ghana, Senegal, Congo-Brazaville.
Falcons opponents:
Tanzania, Egypt, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Cameroun, Ghana
