U- 23 Eagles beat Ghana 2-0, qualify for semifinal

NIGERIA’S quest for the gold medal of the football event in the on-going Congo 2015 All Africa Games got of to a good beginning yesterday when the national U-23 team defeated their Ghanaian counterparts 2-0, reports supersport.com.

The win takes Nigeria to the semifinal of the event.

Nigeria was supposed to commence its campaign on September 6 but their opponents, Egypt, withdrew from the event.

Clear-cut opportunities were difficult to come by in the game and it wasn’t until the 32nd minute that either side created the first choice.

The lively Daniel Etor delivered a brilliant free kick into the area but Oghenekaro Etebo, who found himself at the end of the set piece, headed wide.

That miss by Etebo sparked the Nigerian side into life and a minute later, Samson Siasia’s men almost took the lead.

Kingsley Sokari and Junior Ajayi exchanged passes delightfully but the Shooting Stars man fluffed his lines.

Nigeria continued to dominate after the break and took the lead in the 55th minute through Ajayi, who finished with aplomb after the unstoppable Etor supplied the assist.

Aminu Umar almost scored on the hour but the Ghanaian defence cleared at the opportune moment with the Nigerian forward poised to shoot.

Sokari scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 87th minute as Nigeria won with a flourish.

Nigeria will next face Senegal on September 12 in their final Group game., which will decide the winner of the group.