19th June, 2011
Nigeria moved a step closer to the London 2012 Olympic Games, as the U-23 Eagles defeated Tanzania 3-0 in a second leg qualifying match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Edo State this evening.
Warri Wolves’ Ekigho Ehiosun opened scoring for the Dream Team V in the 5th minute through a brilliant header.
The Nigerian team dominated the first half, creating many goal scoring chances but failed to convert them.
The Tanzanians, who eliminated Cameroon from the race, came out searching for the goals to stop Nigeria, but they failed.
The match did not produce any other goal until the referee from Senegal ended the first half 1-0 in favour of the Eagles.
The East Africans, who came into the game with a goal advantage they scored during the first leg in Tanzania, resumed for the second half with the determination to cancel the goal scored by Ehiosun.
While the visitors were still struggling to equalise, substitute, Nnamdi Oduamadi grabbed the ball, dribbled three Tanzanian defenders and sent a through pass into the six yard box for VVV Venlo and Super Eagles’ striker, Ahmed Musa, who missed the ball. But Ganiu Oseni tapped it into an empty net in the 56th minute to make it 2-0 for Nigeria.
The goal increased the tempo of the tie as fouls were committed, while the rising temper forced the referee to award a yellow card to Nigeria and two to their opponents.
Nigeria sealed the game in the added time when Musa dribbled two defenders before coming face-to-face with the goalkeeper and netted the third goal that gave the Eagles maximum points.
Nigeria advanced to the next round of the qualifying series on 3-1 aggregate.
By Adebobola Alawode, Benin