The Dream Team VI defeated the Denmark counterpart in the quarter-final stages of the Olympic Game to the delight of soccer loving Nigerians and in turn booking a place in the semi-final with Germany.
It was a game where the Dream Team VI rose up to the occasion to silence all sort of doubt about their ability to go further in the competition. The Dream Team VI have John Obi Mikel and Aminu Umar to the rescue as they delivered a killer punch against the Danish side by finding the back of the net in a very or well deserve display.
With the U-23 Eagle we take into considerations some significance of the outcome of the game with respect to their victory over Denmark.
On this we evaluate the lessons learnt from the Dream Team VI win over the Danish Team.
MESMERING IMOH EZEKIEL
Imoh Ezekiel was lively all through the game.
The talented forward who plies his trade in Belgium for Anderlecht was once again a handful for the Danish Team. Ezekiel show pace and flair to terrorize the Scandinavian defence as he cause all sort of problems from the wings.
Ezekiel was one of the player who was pulling the strings against Denmark as the Europeans found it difficult to deal with his pace and quality on the ball. It was a game Imoh Ezekiel used to prove that he is capable of running the show alone, despite the absence of star forward Oghenekaro Etebo.
Though the forward is yet to score but he is the brain behind the box as his lightening pace in attack have been the reason why Oghenekaro Etebo and Umar Sadiq have been flourishing in attack coupled with his well taken assist for John Obi Mikel opening goal against Denmark. He has all it take to help Nigeria overcome the stubborn Germans when both sides takes to the pitch on Wednesday.
MIKEL REVIVE ATTACKING LUSTER
John Obi Mikel gave Nigeria the lead in the first half .
The Chelsea midfield player and the Olympic Dream Team skipper (John Obi Mikel) have Imoh Ezekiel to thank for setting him up for the opening goal against Denmark as the Chelsea man celebrated with so much excitement and joy drawing praises from various sections of Nigerians and Chelsea hierarchy as well who congratulated him and the Dream Team VI for a solid performance in Rio, Brazil.
It was a goal characterized by good positioning and composure in the box as Mikel delivered a precise finish to the bottom corner with his left foot. A ball came from in from Imoh Ezekiel and the Chelsea man arrived at the right time to open the scoring against Denmark prompting the Chelsea fateful about his ability in front of goal with Nigerians taken it personal in criticizing Jose Mourinho for converting Mikel to a defensive midfield as Nigeria wondered how good the Eagles skipper could have been in transition as an attacking midfielder at Chelsea.
NIGERIA AVENGE DEFEAT
Aminu Umar celebrates after scoring Nigeria’s second goal against Denmark
The U-23 side scored got two goals in each half from John Obi Mikel who was set up by electrifying Imoh Ezekiel for the opener as the Danish defence collapse when possession was lost by the Europeans in their own half.
It was not yet over as the Dream Team VI despite the crises in camp ranging from the usual match bonus issues and hotel payment dealings were bet on beating the Danish side in the Quarter-finals with some sort of animosity as the second goal arrived.
John Obi Mikel stepped up to whip in a corner kick which was met by Aminu Umar header to the back of the net for his first goal of the Olympic Games and the second goal for the Dream Team VI as defeat were looking more glaring by the minute for the Denmark side who mounted a late charge for a comeback but was surmounted by a solid Nigerian defence who cleared every ball in all attempt to make sure that revenge mission is duly attained against the Danish side.
AZUBUIKE SPOILS THE SHOW
With the U-23 side 2-0 up and dominating possession in the encounter, the former skipper behind Mikel, decided to cause his team (Dream Team VI) some problem in the next game against the strict German machine by picking up a needless yellow card and will now miss the semi-final tussle with the German machine who have Dortmund Lars Bender and Arsenal’s Sergie Gnabry (Ivory Coast decent) in the mix. Azubuike Okechukwu was careless and complacent in possession (May be because of our 2-0 advantage) when he received the ball.
He had all chance to make a pass or burst into the Denmark area but he was contemplating unnecessarily and was blocked in possession forcing to the midfield to commit a hand ball offence which will lead to the player missing the German game on Wednesday.
I wonder who will replace the versatile and energetic player of his quality at the base of the midfield for the Dream Team VI. This is cause for concern as the player had indirectly handed the Germans a somewhat advantage going to the semi-final match.
NIGERIA CLOSER TO THEIR DREAM
Nigeria through to the semi-finals of football event of Rio 2016 after beating Denmark, 2-0.
With the third win out of four in a 75% (3/4) performance the U-23 Eagles are closer to the Olympic Dreams (Gold Medal) with the Danish defeat.
Nigeria have the likes of Aminu Umar, Emmanuel Daniel, John Obi Mikel and Imoh Ezekiel to thank in particular as we are just 180 minutes away to the Gold Medal.
Of course every Nigerian have all the right to be positive as the Dream Team are really flying Africa (Nigeria) flag at the Olympic in an impressive way as all eyes with certainly grace the semi-final clash between the Dream Team and Germany with some sorts of positively in their minds.
