Nigeria’s U-23 team have qualified for the quarter finals of the Rio Olympic Games after beating Sweden 1-0 at the Amazonia Arena on Sunday to remain top of group B.
Sadiq Umar’s well timed header from Stanley Amuzie’s tailored cross in the 43rd minute was enough to condemned the European champions to defeat and ease the pressure from the team ahead of their final fixture against Colombia on Wednesday.
The Dream Team’s early domination of possession couple with some good exchange of passes in the midfield failed to yield a goal as the duo of Sadiq and Oghenekaro Etebo wasted some glorious chances for the team.
The European champions never threatened the Nigerian goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel who was on holiday thanks the alertness of William Troost Ekong and Sincere Seth in the defence. Nigeria’s continuous attack never resulted to a goal not until in the 39th minute when Sadiq scored with a diving header from Amuzie’s cross from the left flank to break the deadlock.
Nigeria could have extended their lead in two occasions when Etebo’s curled ball was parried away to the corner by Sweden goalkeeper, Andreas Linde. An attempt to peg the Dream Team proved abortive as the Nigerian defence prevented the Swedish team from scoring.
