Nigeria’s Dream Team qualifies for Africa Under-23 Championships - Senegal 2015

Nigeria’s Under-23 men’s team, the Dream Team, has secured passage to the Africa Under-23 Championships to be held later in the year in Senegal after playing out a goalless draw in Pointe Noire on Sunday.

Samson Siasia’s team progressed on 2-1 aggregate after winning the first leg 2-1 in Port Harcourt a fortnight ago to book a place for the Olympic qualifying event.


Nigeria did not hide their intent from the onset knowing fully well they had to be on the offensive to get anything from the game considering their hosts had an away goal.

Usman Mohammed tested the Congolese goalkeeper Mafoumbi as early as the 11th minute but he denied Nigeria the go-ahead goal.

Daniel Etor and Oghenekaro Etebo were proving a handful for the Congolese to deal with as Nigeria asserted themselves in the first half.

The second half was a balanced affair as Congo came out strong but were unable to break a resolute Nigerian side which had chances in the second half too.

Nigeria substitute Aminu Umar, who replaced Daniel Etor late on, wasted a chance to win the game for Nigeria, not that it mattered at the end as the Dream Team held out five minutes of added time to qualify 2-1 on aggregate.

Senegal will host the inaugural Africa Under-23 Championship in December to decide who will represent Africa at the football event of the Olympics in Rio in 2016.

Credit: Nigerian Tribune