Nigeria misses Olympic train, Morocco marches on - Nigeria, Africa's first-ever nation to win Olympic men's football gold, now faces the indignity of not even qualifying for the event at the 2012 London Olympics, after losing its second straight match at the ongoing CAF Under-23 Championship in Morocco on Tuesday. The inaugural competition doubles as the African qualifier for the men's football event at next year's Games.

It was a nightmare for Nigeria's Dream Team V as it lost 2-1 to Senegal in their second group A game in Morocco's northern city of Tangiers on Tuesday night.

The loss followed a 1-0 defeat in the hands of host Morocco in their group's opening match on Saturday, and effectively ruled Nigeria out of advancing to the semi-finals and also picking the ticket to London.

Morocco is through to the semi-finals after beating fellow north African Algeria 1-0 in their second group A match also Tuesday.

Algeria and Senegal, with three points each, will have to fight for the second semi-final spot in group A.

On the other hand, Nigeria will only be playing for honour when it meets Algeria in their final group match on Friday, as the outcome will not affect its placing in the group.

The three top finishers at the CAF Under-23 championship will represent Africa at the Olympics, while the fourth-place team will engage in a playoff with an Asian side for another possible slot.

Wednesday's matches (Group B):

Gabon Vs South Africa

Cote d'Ivoire Vs Egypt

Pana 30/11/2011