Nigeria Team win men’s Rio Olympic football bronze

The Nigeria U23 National Team has won bronze at this year’s Men’s Olympic Football Tournament in Brazil.

They edged Honduras 3-2 in Belo Horizonte on Saturday.

It could be recalled that Honduras lost 1-3 to Nigeria at the Four –Nation Invitational Tournament in Suwon, Korea Republic in June.

Usman Mohammed headed over the woodwork in the 19th minute but Emmanuel Daniel had to be at his best to thwart a long range shot three minutes later. 

Ezekiel failed to score from a good position in the 26th minute and Sadiq Umar poorly directed his header in the 29th minute.

Daniel had to rush out to intercept and then save a one-on-one situation.

Captain Mikel Obi later combined brilliantly with Ezekiel Imoh to tee up Sadiq Umar for Nigeria’s first goal in the 34th minute.

The Hondurans hit the side net at the close of the first half to announce their aggression.

But Aminu Umar increased Nigeria’s lead four minutes after recess after pouncing on the ball as the goalkeeper dropped Mikel Obi’s shot. 

Within six minutes, Nigeria led 3-0 as Sadiq Umar shot into the net from another Mikel Obi pass. 

But the Honduras did not give up, as Antony Lozano pulled one back in the 71st minute.

Marcelo Perreira ensured a tense finish when he would later head past Daniel with four minutes left.

Victory meant Nigeria has now won gold, silver and bronze from the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament over the past 20 years. 

They scooped gold in 1996 and picked silver eight years ago, also under Samson Siasia.

Meanwhile, Germany won women’s Olympic football tournament Rio 2016 gold after a 2-1 defeat of Sweden.

The Germans appeared in an all-red jersey to win the Olympic title for the first time ever,.

They had earlier finished third on the podium at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

In the men’s category, Germany will play hosts Brazil in the final on Sunday.

The Germans defeated Nigeria 2-0 to qualify for finals while Brazil are 6-0 winners over Honduras, on Saturday.

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