Nigeria’s U-23 football team on Wednesday qualified for the semifinal of the football event of the 1th All Africa Games in grand style.
The team led by coach Samson Siasia defeated Ghana 2-0 in a group B match which Nigerian dominated completely. Nigeria are the only team with a victory so far in the group since Ghana and Senegal played a goalless draw in their first match at the weekend. With three points in the bag, the U-23 team players are sure bets to play in the last four stage since only eight teams are competing for honours at the games.
The result also means Ghana, the defending champions, could be on their way out of the competition depending on the outcome of the final grouup match between Nigeria and Senegal.
Two goals recorded in the second half were all the Siasia boys needed to confirm supremacy over their Ghanaian counterparts in a game that was largely one-sided.
In the 54th minute, striker Junior Ajayi, pounced on a well laid pass from the right flank to score the first goal while Kingsley Sokari doubled Nigeria’s lead after a one-two exchange of passes with Azubike Okechukwu.
It was a beautiful goal as Sokari placed the ball above the keeper’s head with only two minutes to go. Nigeria’s next match is against Senegal on Friday. The Senegalese will need a draw or a narrow one goal margin defeat to also qualify for the semis.
Also, few hours after the national U-23’s victory over Ghana, the Super Falcons made it double joy for the country as they trounced Tanzania in the women football event of the games. Striker Desire Oparanozie scored a brace to give the national women’s team a resounding victory and maintain leadership position of Group A ahead of their faceoff with Cote d’Ivoire on Friday.
