Nigeria’s Dream Team VI win African U-23 Trophy

Coach Samson Siasia lifted by the victorious team players

Nigeria’s  U-23 side tagged Dream Team VI, have won the  African U-23 Africa Cup of Nations following a 2-1 win over Algeria in the final played last night at the at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar.

Nigeria’s Etebo Oghenekaro  scored a  first half brace in the 15th and 40th minute while Segun  Oduduwa conceded an own goal  in the 31st minute in the pulsating match that saw  goalkeeper  Daniel Emmanuel  deny the Algerians a possible  equalizer  after  he caught  a penalty kick in the second half.

The Nation report continues:

Saturday’s victory was an icing on the cake for the coach Samson Siasia-led side that had earlier qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics Football Tournament after their semifinal win over host Senegal.

“We’re very happy to be in the final,” noted Siasia ahead of the match against Algeria. “It has been a long journey with some ups and downs but it feels good to be in the final. We know our opponents (Algeria) very well after playing them (at the group phase) and seeing their matches.

“The objective was to qualify for the Olympics which we achieved against Senegal. Now, we’ve set another objective, which is to win because we want to win the tournament for our people back home in Nigeria,” he noted.

Meanwhile, South Africa  have qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics  yesterday  after a 3-1 penalties win over hosts Senegal in the Under 23 Africa Cup of Nations third place play-off match in Dakar.

Goalkeeper Jody February proved to be South Africa’s hero with a string of fine saves during the shootout, and a penalty saves in the regulation 90 minutes, which ended 0-0.

Phakamani Mahlambi hit the winning spot-kick to send South Africa’s men to the Rio Games.

It is the first time that both the South Africa men’s and women’s football teams have qualified for an Olympics.

In a rare instance of a third-place play-off match carrying more importance than the final itself, it was the hosts Senegal who had the best chance in the game to seal victory. Senegal were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute. Mousa Keita’s effort was saved by the outstanding February who also played a starring role in the ensuing shootout, saving three spot-kicks.

South Africa’s men join the Under 23 Africa Cup of Nations finalists, Nigeria and Algeria, at Rio 2016.

Senegal 2015: Dream Team Wins CAF U-23 Trophy

*South Africa secures Rio Olympics spot

Sunnewsonline reports that the Dream Team VI of Nigeria on Saturday night were crowned champions of the Confederation of Africa Football U-23 Nations Cup with a 2-1 victory over Algeria in the final played in Dakar.

Competition’s top scorer, Ogh­enekaro Etebo scored twice in the first half to give Nigeria a 2-1 lead with Nigeria defender Segun Oduduwa conceding an own goal but Coach Samson Siasia had goalkeeper Em­manuel Daniel to thank for a 65th minute penalty save to keep Nigeria in the game and ultimately win the trophy.

Nigeria were rewarded for their daring attacking football and they could have gone ahead in the first five minutes through FIFA U17 World Cup hotshot Victor Osimhen, who was getting his first start in this champion­ship.

However, the Nigeria Dream Team VI finally took the lead after 14 min­utes from the penalty spot after Etebo drove into the Algeria goal area and was brought down by Ayoub Abdel­laoui for a penalty which the Warri Wolves midfielder converted sending goalkeeper Sahli the wrong way.

On the half hour mark Algeria’s Zinedine Ferhat’s dangerous cross from the right was headed home by Oduduwa into his own net.

Etebo will then restore Nigeria’s lead in the 41st minute when he again drove into the Algerian defense before firing past the onrushing goalkeeper for his fifth goal of the competition and gifting Coach Samson Siasia win­ning his first trophy.

The Dream Team players for their win got US$4, 000 each for emerging Africa Champions.

In the third place game, South Af­rica picked the last of the three tickets available to Africa as they defeated hosts Senegal 3-1 on penalties to win the third-place playoff at the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations to join Nigeria and Algeria for the Olympic Games in Rio 2016.

The hero was undoubtedly goalkeeper Jody February, who saved a penalty in regulation time as well as three in the shootout to see Owen Da Gama’s side emerge triumphant de­spite Senegal’s dominance for most of the match at the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar.