NIGERIA'S U23 team has qualified for the final phase of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics by beating Congo 2-1 on aggregate after the two teams played a 0-0 draw in Pointe Noire yesterday.

In the first leg played in Port Harcourt two weeks ago, the Eagles won 2-1 and with yesterday's result, they now qualify for the African U23 Championship taking place in Senegal later this year. Eight teams have qualified for the tournament with the first three making it to Rio and the fourth placed team going into a play-off with an Asian side. 

Known as Dream Team VI, the team coached by former international Samson Siasia, held its ground yesterday, successfully shutting out a determined Congo side. Nigeria now joins hosts Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Zambia and Egypt for the tournament, which will serve as the final qualifying series for the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

During yesterday's game, the first half was slightly dominated by Nigeria with a few unsuccessful Congolese attempts by Hardy Binguila, Boukama Kaya and Ndockyt. Nigeria had two clear-cut chances before the break, with a strike which brushed off the post and a header, which crashed against the side netting. 

Congo woke up towards the end of the first 45 minutes but it finished goalless at the break and Nigeria then started the second half the better of the two sides. However, Congolese substitute Kader Bidimbou, who came in for the lively Boukama Kaya, came close with a bicycle kick. 

Then Binguila headed over the crossbar and Bidimbou headed straight to Nigeria goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel. Goal scorer two weeks ago Moise Nkounkou had a last attempt in stoppage time but Nigeria managed to hold on.

 Meanwhile, the Super Falcons have failed to qualify for Rio 2016 Olympics after Equatorial Guinea's national women football team beat them 2-1. Two weeks ago both sides drew 1-1 in Abuja ant yesterday's win gave the Guinean a 3-2 aggregate win over the Falcons, ensuring they will be one of African representatives in Rio next year.