Nigeria’s U-23 Dream Team have qualified for the men’s football tournament of the 2016 Olympics to be staged in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, following a 1-0 victory over host Senegal in the semifinals of the 2nd Africa U-23 Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
Hearkening fully to the charge by NFF President Amaju Pinnick that they should take no prisoners, the wards of Samson Siasia tightened the rearguard and refused to be intimidated by the host team’s perfect record in the campaign and the chants of their fans in the stands.
Senegal dominated for large periods of the game, and had a perfect opportunity to go into recess leading the tie, but Ibrahima Keita shot tamely into the hands of goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel from the penalty spot.
The ‘Dream Team’ came out in the second half determined to launch more onslaughts, and got their own penalty award in the 72nd minute. Stand –Captain Oghenekaro Etebo made no mistake from the spot.
Victory meant Nigeria, 1996 champions and 2008 runners up but missing from the last Olympics in London, will be one of Africa’s three flag-bearers at the tournament in Rio de Janeiro next year.
In Saturday’s final, the Nigeria U-23 will take on the winner of the second semifinal between Algeria and South Africa, at the same Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, was ecstatic: “We thank God for this victory. It is more special and much more exciting because neither of our teams qualified for the football tournament of the 2012 Olympics in London.
“We want to thank the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports for all their support. We also want to appreciate the players and their officials for their tenacity and patriotism.”
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