By Our Correspondent

Olympic Eagles captain, Success Makanjuola has expressed confidence that Nigerian football followers particularly those in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, will give the team massive support as the U-23 national team battle their Tanzania counterparts in the 2023 CAF U-23 Nations Cup qualifier.

Holding a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Nigeria needs a scoreless draw or an outright win to guarantee their passage into the final round of qualifiers.

Speaking ahead of the match which kicks-off 4pm today in Ibadan, Makanjuola praised football loving Nigerians for the massive support shown to them since they arrived the ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The CD Diocesano of Spain midfielder who said he was stunned by the warm reception received from the fans and the way the city worship the round leather game.

The left footer who shot the Olympic Eagles to the lead in Dar-es-Salaam noted that they were well-motivated with the electrifying ambience the Ibadan Soccer loving fans have created so far.

He said: “Kudos to the Executive Governor of the State, Engineer Oluwaseyi Makinde, the Oyo State FA and the management of Shooting Stars Football Club for the love and motivation. In fact, it’s exceptional. We believe they will double the support when we host the East Africans today”.

The former Water FC Abuja added that: “We are massively boosted by the feeling and electrifying ambience the Ibadan fans will creat today against Tanzania and I believe they will double the support when we step into the pitch. We urge them not to relent and they should rather increase the tempo” The former Under 20 Captain pleaded.

Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Saturday last week, and goals are needed to separate them to determine which side goes ahead to face the winner of the fixture between Uganda and Guinea in the ultimate round before the continental finals slated for Morocco.

Eight countries will qualify to participate in the 5th edition of the competition holding in Morocco, with Egypt the defending champions

The three best teams from the tournament will represent Africa in the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris, France.