Colombia vs Nigeria:
Olympics 2016: Group B,
Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2016,
Kick-off: 11:00pm (Nigeria Time)
Venue: Corinthians Arena
Having qualified for the quarter finals of the Rio Olympic Games Men’s football, the Nigeria’s U-23 team is set to maintain their 100% winning record against Colombia in their last group B match at the Corinthians Arena on Wednesday (11pm Nigerian time).
87′ Etebo ‘Karo has been stretchered off. Nigeria will have to see out this game with 10 men.
73′ What a miss! Nearly a 3rd goal for Colombia. Still 2-0 in Sao Paulo
63′ Goal! Colombia 2-0 Nigeria. Pabon scores from the penalty spot
60′ Daniel Akpeyi
60′ PENALTY! Daniel Akpeyi fouls Harold Preciado in the penalty area, he gets cautioned for that and Colombia have a chance to double their lead in Sao
55′ Intelligent play from Mikel matched by Madu’s cutback. Could have been a goal but for Sadiq’s slip
49′ Rumble in Colombia’s goal area off a corner from Nigeria. Etebo had been caught offside even as his shot went off target.
46′ Second half begins. Colombia 1 Nigeria 0. Teo Gutierrez’ 4th minute goal still the difference between both teams.
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Halftime: Colombia 1-0 Nigeria (Gutierrez 4′)
44′ Free kick in a good area for Colombia wasted. Goal kick to Nigeria
43′ William Ekong booked for Nigeria
33′ Etebo’s shot saved by Colombia goalkeeper
27′ Good mesmerizing football display from Dream Team, but the Colombians are playing it direct.Good attempt from Etebo. That should have been in.
4′ Goal! Gutierrez puts Colombia ahead
0′ Game on!
Still on two points, Colombia drew 2-2 against Sweden and 2-2 against Japan; needing a victory in their final group match against Nigeria to have any slight chance of qualifying from the group considering the fact that a win for either Japan or Sweden could end their Olympic dream. If Japan wins they would be on four points and if Sweden wins they will also be on four points.
Nigeria will be relying on the striking prowess of Ogenekharo Etebo and Sadiq Umar who have both formed a twin partnership. The two players have scored six goals between them and will be poise to wreck the Colombians with their goals on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, coach Samson Siasia has assured that his team will continue to take it one game at a time in the ongoing Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016.
“I think for me and the boys all we are doing now is taking it a game at a time, we are not bothered about the team we will be playing in the quarter finals, let’s play Colombia first and from there we will think of our opponents at that stage.
“The issue of the team I will prefer to play in the quarter final stage doesn’t arise now; what is uppermost in my mind is getting my boys focused for every game.”
Nigeria last won the Olympic Games in 1996 at Atlanta where the team defeated Argentina 3-2 in the final match to clinch Africa’s first gold medal.