Nigeria beats Senegal, clinch Rio Olympics ticket

Nifemi Daniel

Nigeria U-23 Eagles, Wednesday, booked a ticket to the Rio 2016 Olympics with a 1-0 win over hosts, Senegal, in the semifinal of CAF U-23 Championships.

Stand-in captain, Oghene Etebor, converted a 76th minute penalty to send Samson Siasia’s men to the final of the tournament at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar.

The first half had no serious battle except for the dying minutes when Nigeria goalkeeper Bode Daniel stopped a penalty kick.

Daniel was adjudged to have brought down Sarr in the box.

Replays showed that the goalkeeper didn’t do much wrong but the referee pointed to the spot immediately. Ibrahimma Keita stepped up and took the penalty but Daniel guessed right and dived to his left to save brilliantly.

Read also: Siasia, Pinnick back U-23 Eagles to beat Senegal

The hosts got punished for their profligacy in the 72nd minute when defender Ouseyne Thiuone clashed with his goalkeeper to chase a ball that was lofted into the penalty area, they both missed it but Thioune who saw that Kufre was poised to score stretched his hand and pushed the ball away.

The referee correctly pointed to the spot and Etebor, who took the resultant penalty, sent the Senegal goalie, Pape Ndiaye, to the wrong side to score the winning goal.

The two finalists and the winner of the third-placed match win automatic tickets to the Rio Games.

Nigeria who crashed out in the group stage of the last edition of the tournament would face Algeria in the final on Saturday.

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