Dream Team book place in 2016 Olympic games, U23 AFCON final
Etebo Oghenekaro scored the only goal, as Nigeria landed a ticket to represent Africa in next year’s summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.
This came after they defeated hosts Senegal 1-0 in the 1st semi-final of the ongoing CAF U-23 tournament.
The team also booked a place to play in the final of the ongoing CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament in Senghor, Senegal.
Late in the first, the hosts failed to convert their spot kick before half time, with Ibrahim Kaita playing into the hands of Nigeria goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel. Deep into the second half, Nigeria was awarded its own penalty after defender Thiome handled the ball in the box (the team was reduced to 10-men); and Etebo made no mistake by converting the kick in the 77th minute.
Even though the game ended goalless in the first half, but the hosts showed more aggressiveness in the attack and looked more purposeful to take lead, but Nigeria goalie Daniel rose to the occasion by saving the situation on several occasions.
Midway into the second half, Siasia made an important substitution with FIFA U-17 record scorer, Victor Osimhen coming in for Aniefiok Godspower in the 63rd minute, while midfielder, Bature Yaro was replaced by Kufre Ebong in the 86th minute in the encounter.
It was a sweet relief for Siasia who had promised to give Nigerians the Rio 2016 Olympics ticket as compensation for helping the release of his aged mother Madam Beauty Ogere Siasia who was kidnapped and was later released by unknown gunmen in Bayelsa last month.
Samson Siasia’s men will now play the winner of the 2nd semi-final between Algeria and South Africa on Sunday to determine who ?wins the tournament after the losers’ final between hosts Senegal and the loser between Algeria and South Africa.
The two finalists will qualify for Rio 2016 alongside the 3rd/4th? place winner with three African representatives expected at the 2016 Olympics.
Meanwhile, this is the second time Siasia would be leading Nigeria’s U-23 to the Summer Olympic Games, having led Nigeria to win silver at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, losing to Argentina by a lone goal in the final.
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