Nigeria received what appears to be a tougher task than South Africa when the 2016 Olympic Games African qualifying tournament draw was made in Cairo Monday. The Nigerians were placed in Group B with Egypt, Algeria and Mali while South Africa face hosts Senegal, Zambia and Tunisia in Group A. South Africa visited Tunisia for two warm-up matches last weekend, winning 4-0 and losing 2-1 when the teams met again. Group winners and runners-up advance to the semi-finals, whose victors secure places at the Rio Olympic Games.
The losing semi-finalists play off to fill the third and last place reserved for Africa at a tournament won by Nigeria in 1996 and Cameroon four years later. Nigeria edged Congo Brazzaville to reach Senegal while Egypt outclassed Uganda with rising star 'Kahraba' scoring four goals.
Algeria overcame Sierra Leone and Mali were too strong for Mauritania and 2012 London Olympics qualifiers Gabon. Senegal are automatic participants as hosts and South Africa won at home against Zimbabwe with Keegan Dolly scoring twice after drawing away. Tunisia beat Sudan comfortably and Morocco narrowly while Zambia eliminated Botswana and edged Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout.
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