Nigeria U -23 team: appear to have collapsed in second half

Mali have sensationally in the second half reduced their 3 goal deficit, by two goals, as they pumped pressure on Nigeria’s defence.

The first goal by Mali came in 55th minute after a Nigerian defender fouled Mali’s Adama Niane in the box.

Niane himself took the resulting penalty to record Mali’s first goal.

Ten minutes after,Abdoulaye Diarra scored the second goal. The Malians began staging a ferocious fightback.

Their attacks became more dangerous, oftentimes catching the Nigerians napping.

Nigeria’s Dream Team  VI, the Under-23  team appeared going for a comfortable victory against their Malian counterparts, in the African Nations Cup for the age group, taking place in Senegal in the first half.

Scoreline at half time was Nigeria 3, Mali 0.

Ajayi Oluwafemi Junior, who plays for CS SFAXIEN, was responsible for two of the goals. He had shot Nigeria ahead of  Mali in the 16th minute, via a sensational back-heeled kick, that stunned the Malian keeper.

Then in the extra minutes of the first half, he latched on to a loose ball by the Malian keeper to record his second goal of the day and the third for the team.

In the 34th minute, Usman Mohammed, who plays for Taraba United FC Nigeria scored the team’s  second goal.

Nigeria’s game with Mali was the second match of the Group B, in which Egypt and Algeria earlier played a 1-1 draw.