BREAKING NEWS, Sports
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THE Nigeria Under-23 team started its campaign at the Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations on a winning note as it defeated the Malian counterpart by 3-2, on Sunday night, November 29.
The Dream Team VI, as the Nigerian team is called, had been on a cruise control in the first half when it led by three goals. But it almost blew the advantage as the team literally when to sleep and allowed Mali to come back to the game with two quick goals in the second half.
Junior Ajayi, Tunisia-based Nigerian player, set the night alight as his back heel flip gave Nigeria the lead in the 16th minute.
The team doubled the lead 10 minutes before half time and this time it was Usman Mohammed, captain of the Taraba United, who got the goal.
Ajayi was again on hand to extend Nigeria’s lead during the extra time of the first half as the team looked set to go home unscathed with all the three points.
However, the table was turned around in the second half as the Malians mounted a spirited comeback and their efforts were crowned when they were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute. The tally was reduced when Adama Niane, Malian player who was brought down in the Nigerian, got up to convert the resultant kick.
Barely ten minutes later, the Malians got another goal in through Soulimane Sissoko to make scores 3-2.
Thereafter, the Malians threw all they had at their Nigerian counterparts to get the coveted equaliser but that did not happen as the Nigerian team held on firmly to the slim win. The win put Nigeria top in Group B after the first set of matches.
The ongoing Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal also doubles as the Olympic Qualifiers. The top three from the tournament will get an automatic ticket to represent Africa at the 2016 Rio Olympics Men’s Football event.
— Nov 30, 2015 @ 16:30 GMT
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