Nigeria U-23 Dream Team VI will be hoping to secure a semi-final berth when they step out at the Stade Caroline Faye in M’bour, Senegal.
Having picked up maximum points in a nervy 3-2 win over Mali in their first group game, another three points against the Young Pharaohs of Egypt will see the Dream Team VI march into the semi-final.
Coincidentally, football lovers will get to witness a repeat of the clash as this game sets the tone for a 2017 AFCON double-header between the two countries in March.
Aware of his team’s chances of qualifying to the next round, Nigeria coach Samson Siasia said in a pre-match conference: “Wins in our first two matches will qualify us for the semi-finals and that is what we are targeting.”
Nigeria Dream Team VI
Siasia however admitted his team were only lucky to win their first game.
He said: “We almost got ‘killed’ in our first game against Mali, and we have to do more against Egypt. It will be a difficult game. Our strength is scoring but defensively we are shaky. We cannot repeat the same mistakes against Egypt.”
Egypt, will miss key players including Al Ahly midfielder Saleh Gomaa through injury, but coach Hossam Al Badri has said his team is committed to achieving their goal of qualifying for the Olympics.
Al Badri said: “We expect a tough match since Nigeria will be hoping to win to avoid calculations as far as a place at the semi-final is concerned. Our goal is also to secure the three points to smoothen our road to the semis. Normally, Nigeria would attack, and if they do, we will exploit the spaces they would leave behind.”
Kick-off time for this encounter is 7pm today, December 2, at the Caroline Faye Stadium in Mbour. Naij.com will bring you live coverage of the game.
Nigeria XI: Daniel Emmanuel, Effiong Ndifreke, Seth Sincere, Amaefule Chizoba, Oduduwa Segun, Muhammed Usman, Okechukwu Azubuike (C), Dimgba Stanley, Etebo Oghenekaro, Junior Ajayi, Awoniyi Taiwo.
30′ GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!! Etebo sends the goalie the other way to make it 2 – 0 in favour of the Flying Eagles
29′ PENALTY AGAIN!!!! Nigeria earn another penalty after Etebo’s cross is deflected onto a defender’s hand
27′ IS THAT A PENALTY??? The opponents feel they should be awarded a penalty after an attacker is felled when dribbbling a third player in the box, ref says play on
26′ Nothing of note since the goal as both teams defences have cancelled out attacks thrown at them
23′ The opponents are now attacking the Dream Team’s goal with regularity now but the defenders have been spot on in their duties
20′ GOOOOOAAALLLLLLL!!!! Etebo scores from the spot
19′ PENALTY!!! Nigeria counter after Egypt’s attack and a ball from the left hits a defender. Replays show it hit his knee not his hand, UNLUCKY!!!
18′ SAVE!!! The Flying Eagles are lucky not to be one goal down as an attack on the left sees an attacker free bt his shot is weak
17′ Despite the early dominance of Nigeria, there were no clear cut chances or shots on target, the Junior Pharoahs now on the ascent
16′ Seth Sincere is beaten for pace at the right but Ndifere does well to recover for him
14′ DOUBLE SHOT!!! The opponents defense mount a wall that blocks shots from Junior Ajayi and Etebo
13′ Egypt have grown into the match now
11′ Amaefule Chizoba does well to deny the Egyptians a scoring chance….they earn a corner but it is well dealth with by the defense
8′ No clear chances of yet but Nigeria orcing the opponents into their own half
6′ Etebo and Usman Mohammed showing enough to suggest they could be crucial in this game with some neat touches
3′ Nigeria bssing possession in this early stages, Seth Sincere is alert to clear a dangerous counter attack from the opponents
2′ MISSED CHANCE!!! Awoniyi does not jump well eenouh to connect to Etebo’s lofted pass
1′ Nigeria keeping possession of the ball in the early stages
1′ kick off…Nigeria gets us started
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