09 December 2015

Nigeria's Dream Team VI Qualify For 2016 Olympics, Set For AFCON U-23 Final

The Dream Team VI of Nigeria have qualified for next Year's  Rio Olympics after they beat Senegal in Wednesday’s U-23 AFCON semi-final in Dakar after a 77th minute penalty was converted by standing captain Oghenekaro Etebo.

They will now await the winners of the second semi-final between South Africa and Algeria for Saturday’s championship game.

A mix-up between goalkeeper Seydou and Thioune in the Senegal defence let in Kufre Ebong, but before he could shoot into an empty goal Thioune held on to the ball to be sent off for a professional foul.


Nigeria’s main hero was goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel, who saved a penalty in first half stoppage time for Dream Team VI to hold hosts Senegal 0-0 after the first period.

Daniel fouled Dieng Chekhou inside his own box but he made amends when he saved Sory Keita’s penalty moments later.

The Enugu Rangers goalkeeper also pulled off a big save in the 13th minute when he came face-to-face with Keita.

He also saved in the 36th minute when he held a downward header from inside the 18-yard box.

Nigeria also had their chances to get on the scoresheet with the most notable being in the 42nd minute when Junior Ajayi put the ball through the legs of the Senegal goalkeeper and captain, but Kufre Ebong was denied on the goalline by a meaty tackle by a defender of Senegal.

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