The  Nigeria U-23 team, the Dream Team VI, have qualified for the African U-23 Championship billed to take place in Senegal later in the year.

The Nigerian team put up a brave defensive display in Pointe Noire on Sunday as they held their hosts, Congo to a goalless draw. Having won the first leg tie 2-1 in Port Harcourt a fortnight ago,

Sunday’s result means that the Coach Samson Siasia-tutored side get one of the coveted ticket to go on to compete for one of the Olympic football event slots ceded to Africa in the tournament taking place in November in Senegal.

Before Nigeria’s qualification, Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia and Zambia had confirmed their places for the Championship. The last slot up for grabs is been contested between Mali and Gabon. The top three teams at the final tournament scheduled for November 28 to December 12 will represent Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The fourth placed team will face an Asian side in a playoff. Nigeria missed out on the football event of the London Olympics and are now keen to stage a return in Rio.