Nigeria, Libya African Minifootball Cup Opener Ends In Barren Draw

Nigeria, Libya African Minifootball Cup Opener Ends In Barren Draw By Niyi Busari The Nigeria Minifootball national team in the opening game of the 2021 African Nations Cup failed to rely on home support to beat Libya, BSNSports.com.ng can report. The coach Fabian Edaba tutored side created more scoring chances but could not find the back of the net through out the entire duration. Fabian, made multiple changes as the Spartan stepped in for the second 25 minutes with Libya goalkeeper, Akram El Salem making several saves to keep his team in the game. Nigeria will slug it out with the 2018 finalist, Senegal in their second group game in a yet to be determined date. Fabian who said he was not disappointed with the 0-0 scoreline with Libya, is optimistic that Spartan will pick the maximum three points in their game against Senegal. He said, "I am not disappointed with the 0-0 draw with Libya. The boys played well and that spirit if taken into the next game against Senegal is enough to beat them." Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan set the ball rolling ahead of the kick off between the Nigeria and Libya. Only ten teams grouped five each into A and B will prosecute the competition after six countries withdrew due to Covid-19 reasons. The second edition which kicked off today will end on 17 July, 2021 at the Ilaji Hotels and Resorts Ibadan. Speaking before the kick off, the President of Africa Mini-Football Confederation, Achraf Ben Salha described the facilities at the Ilaji Hotels and Resorts as the best in Africa for the game of Minifootball. The Nigeria Mini-Football North Central coordinator, Batako Umar Lapai is optimistic that the determination of Nigeria team will help them in winning the title. Lapai added that the second game with Senegal will be the beginning of their journey to the final adding that Ibadan was chosen because it has astro turf facility required by the Africa Mini-Football Confederation. He stated that six properly equipped ambulances are also on the stand by. Nigeria Team List Nigeria team list for today's encounter: 1. Moses Ocheje- 21 2. Jay Jay Osita- 17 3. Adah Stephen- 27 4. Emeka Ayogueke- 8 5. Solomon Akpan- 18 6. Akubo Loveth- 33 Substitutes Peter Daniel- 1 Tope Orelope- 10 Sunday James- 15 Aisa Joseph- 11 Chibuzor Oguledo- 14 Adeniji Kabiru- 9 David Ikande- 70. Coach - Fabian Edaba Group A Nigeria Senegal Libya Zambia Djibouti Group B Ghana Egypt Somalia Ivory Coast Burkina Faso