NIGERIA’S Dream Team VI on Thursday picked a ticket for the football event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games courtesy of a 1-0 win from a 77th minute penalty goal off the foot of Oghenekaro Etebo who scored clinically to punch the ticket for Nigeria.
The Coach Samson Siasia boys despite the pressure piled by the hosts Senegal defended stoutly with goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel making hay and saving a penalty kick amongst other saves to keep Nigeria on course and a place in the final of the Africa U-23 Championship.
It was a tale of two penalties at Stade Leopold Sedar in Dakar as Senegal missed a first-half spot-kick before Nigeria took theirs in the second half.
Peter Etebo was the man who kept his nerve from the spot for Nigeria in the 77th minute after an awful mix-up between Senegal goalkeeper and defender, when Ousseynou Thioune dived to handle the ball in the box under pressure.
Senegal also had Thioune sent off as Nigeria went 1-0 up.
Nigeria goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel had earlier saved a penalty from Senegal striker Ibrahima Keita just before half-time to keep the scores level heading into the break.
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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