U23 AFCON: Oyo Govt Charges Olympic Eagles To Beat Tanzania, Rallies Support For Team

U23 AFCON: Oyo Govt Charges Olympic Eagles To Beat Tanzania, Rallies Support For Team

Ibraheem Lateef Ayodele

The Oyo State Government has commenced support mobilisation ahead of the 2ng leg African Cup of Nations(AFCON) qualifying match between the Olympic Eagles and Tanzania on Saturday in Ibadan, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Seun Fakorede, Commissioner for Youths and Sports gave the hint on Wednesday with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State Chapter.

The Olympic Eagles who were forced to a 1-1 during the first leg in Dar es Salam, will hope to go past Tanzania at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, which was recently renovated and upgraded to international standard by Governor Seyi Makinde's administration.

Fakorede said that the media engagement was very important due to the Saturday international match, which never happened in the last 30 years.

He called on all football-loving citizens to come out to witness the epoch-making event and give the U23 Olympic team overwhelming support to victory.

"We, therefore call on all football-loving Ibadan fans to come en mass to witness the epoch-making event and give our darling U23 Olympic team overwhelming and arousing support to victory," he said.

The Sports Commissioner's refurbished Lekan Salami edifice would also open up new opportunities for the people to generate income and enhance value.

"The Lekan Salami remodelling is yet another milestone of the Governor Makinde-led administration in the State.

"This administration has far achieved the unprecedented remodelling of the stadium to an enviable world-class standard," he said.

Fakorede charged the people to cooperate with the officials, urging them to demonstrate patriotism and understanding before, during and after the match. 

He said such would enable the state to host more international competitions, soliciting more cooperation and objectivity from journalists in the state.

The commissioner said that the state would also host the second leg of the U23 team against Costa Rica in November, saying the first leg will hold in the US.

Fakorede said that adequate security has been put in place for a rancour-free match, while accreditation would be handled by the State FA in conjunction with Nigeria Football Federation(NFF).

Oba James Odeniran, the State Football Association(FA) Chairman, appreciated the governor for giving them a stadium that could compare with any across the world.

Odeniran also commended the commissioner for creating enabling environment for the CAF delegation which accredited the stadium for international matches.

"We are looking beyond the hosting of this first international match. Our efforts and performance would help sustain further patronage of this stadium. 

"The essence of the news conference is to solicit the support of our media houses and the public for the victory of our darling U23 National team," he said.