By Dotun Omisakin and Jide Olusola
The Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and the Chairman of the NFF Task Foce on Youth Competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi have redeemed the financial pledges made to the Olympic Eagles following their 3-1 aggregate win over Tanzania at the Lekan Salami stadium in Ibadan, Oyo state yesterday..
Makinde, who had hosted the Nigeria U23 boys to a dinner at the Government House, Agodi handed over the sum of N10million to the players and officials and gave $25,000 for the victory.
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In the same vein, Balele in a chat with our correspondent confirmed that he has redeemed his $20,000 pledge.
He had earlier presented the team, through Head Coach Salisu Yusuf $10,000, being half of the amount he promised them for a win ahead of the first leg against Tanzania.
Nigeria U-23 Dream Team had in the first leg played a 1-1 draw against their opponent at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The dream to secure a spot in the Olympics billed to hold in Paris in 2024 came up after Oluwwatimilehin Oguniyi broke the deadlock in the 61 minutes scoring via free kick, leaving the Tanzania goal keeper startled
Seven minutes later, captain Success Makanjuola sealed the victory for his team after he converted from a spot kick after Oguniyi who scored the first goal was kicked from behind in the yard of 18.
Before the goals, the dream team expressed their dominance in the 10 minutes after the blast of the referee whistle with coordinated strings of passes leaving their opponent at their own park.
But the Tanzania striker in the 11 minutes tested the strength of the Nigerian goal keeper who saved a low drive shot after dream team defender Isaiah Ejeh missed his calculation to nod the ball to the keeper
At the resumption of the second stanza, they stepped up their game to secure the victory
as they prepare for the next round of qualifiers.
