U-23 Eagles survive scare, beat Mali 3-2

Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles survived a scaring experience on Sunday after managing to defeat hardfighting Mali in their opening match of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

Junior Ajayi scored a brace, while Usman Mohammed got Nigeria’s other goal in the first half but the Malians rallied back to score two more goals towards the end of the match.

Ajayi opened the floodgate of goals in the 16th minute before Mohammed increased the tally 18 minutes later. Ajayi then made it 3-0 for Nigeria on the dot of 45 minutes to all but seal the game for the Nigerians.

FC Nantes of France prodigy, Adama Niane, pulled a goal back for the Malians from the penalty spot in the 54th minute before Soulemayne Sissoko ensured a nervous end to the encounter for the Nigerians with his side’s second of the game on 65 minutes.

After a nervy start that saw the Malians launching wave after wave of attack on the Nigerians, former 36 Lions of Lagos and Shooting Stars of Ibadan star, Ajayi, was at the right place to convert Ndifreke Effiong’s low cross from the left flank with a cheeky back heel.

Read also: Osimhen returns as U-23 Eagles storm Senegal

In the 34th minute, a similar move, this time from the right flank by fullback, Seth Sincere, fell onto the path of Mohammed and the Taraba United midfielder duly obliged with a cool finish.

And on the dot of half time, a stinging drive from the edge of the area by Nigeria captain, Azubuike Okechukwu, proved too hot for the Malian goalkeeper who dropped it onto the path of Ajayi who promptly dispatched the ball into the back of the net.

Whatever the Malians were told at the break definitely fell on listening ears as they swarmed on the Nigerians from the start of the second half and pulled a goal back nine minutes after the restart after Oghenekaro Etebo conceded a penalty which Niane slammed into the back of Daniel’s net.

Sissoko then made it 3-2 for the Malian Eagles with a calm finish from inside the penalty area.

But there were no further goals afterwards as the tired Nigerians gave a sigh of relief at the final blast of the referee’s whistle after close to five minutes of added time.

Nigeria now tops Group B ahead of Egypt and Algeria, who played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, and will next play the Egyptians on Wednesday.

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