Dream Team VI ‘Destroy’ Gabon In Libreville

Golden Eaglets Overrun Zambia In Niamey

IT was double celebration for Nigerian football Saturday, following victories by the nation’s U-23 team and their U-17 counterparts at two different international engagements.

  Nigeria’s U-23 side, Dream Team VI, forced some bitter pills down the throat of their host, Gabon, with a 4-1 thrashing in the first leg of the 11th All Africa Games qualifiers. The match was played at the Stade Augustina Sibang in Libreville.

  In Niamey, capital of Niger Republic, the Golden Eaglets sailed into the semifinal of the CAF U17 Championship with a 3-1 victory over Zambia. With the victory, the Golden Eaglets have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup holding in Chile later in the year.

  The match in Libreville was barely two minutes, when Ajayi Junior struck to unsettle the Gabonese. Warri Wolves midfielder Etebo Oghenekaro made it two from the penalty spot in the 44th minutes, after a Gabonese defender brought down Tiongoli Tonbara in the box.

  Ajayi who was part of the Nigerian U-17 team that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup two years ago made it three in the 46th minutes after collecting a pass from defender Stanley Amuzie.

   Gabon pulled one back in the 50th min through Meye Axel, but the Dream Team VI continued their dominance, which paid off in the 88th minutes through Enyimba of Aba striker Peter Onyekachi.

  Nigerians played with so much confidence, pinning the host to their own half.

 The Coach Samson Siasia-led Dream Team VI was forced to bring in Sokari in the second half after Usman Mohammed was injured. 

  The return leg will take place at the National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, March 7.

  The Coach Emmanuel Amuneke-led Nigeria U-17 team lead 2-0 at half-time against Zambia in the CAF U-17 Championship in Niger Republic.

 Victor Osimhen gave the Golden Eaglets the lead in the 35th minute, before Kelechi Nwakali doubled the lead just before the break.

  In the second half, Osimhen made it three for Nigeria, but Patson Daka pulled one back for Zambia in the 61st minutes.