2016 Olympics - African sides set up friendlies

Africa's five representatives at the 2016 Olympic football event have finalised friendly fixtures ahead of the tournament in Rio.

The Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations champions Nigeria will face hosts South Korea, Honduras and Denmark in a four-nation tournament in three cities Bucheon, Suwon and Goyang - in Gyeonggi Province in early June.

All four countries participating in the tournament have qualified for the Olympics.

Algeria, who finished as runners-up in the U23 Nations Cup Senegal last December, have confirmed two friendly matches against Rio-bound Iraq on 13 and 17 July in Algiers.

The continent's third representative South Africa will face Japan in the 2016 Kirin Challenge Cup on 29 June at the Matsumotodaira Stadium in Nagano, Japan.

Nigeria, who are pitted in Group B of the Rio games alongside Sweden, Colombia and Japan, boast a proud Olympics record.

They made Olympic football history in 1996 by becoming the first African team to win the gold medal.

Nigeria also finished runners-up at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where current Under-23 coach Siasia also led the 'Dream Team' in China.

Algeria, drawn in Group D with Honduras, Argentina and Portugal, are going to the Olympic Games for only the second time in their history.

Their first appearance came in Moscow 1980, where they reached the quarter-finals only to lose 3-0 to Yugoslavia.

South Africa, who have been drawn in Group A along with Brazil, Iraq and Denmark, will be making their second appearance at the Games after their debut at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Africa's two women representatives at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, South Africa and Zimbabwe, face off in a friendly match on Sunday 15 May at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.

South Africa made their Olympics debut at the 2012 London games and have been drawn in a tough Group E, with hosts Brazil, China and Sweden in Rio.

Neighbours and debutants Zimbabwe are equally in a difficult Group F along with Canada, Australia and Germany.

 

MEN

Group A
• Brazil
• South Africa
• Iraq
• Denmark

Group B
• Sweden
• Colombia
• Nigeria
• Japan

Group C
• Fiji
• Korea Republic
• Mexico
• Germany

Group D
• Algeria
• Portugal
• Honduras
• Argentina

WOMEN

Group E
• Brazil
• China
• Sweden
• South Africa

Group F
• Canada
• Zimbabwe
• Australia
• Germany

Group G
• USA
• New Zealand
• France
• Colombia