Soccer loving Nigerians could not wait for the referee to blow the last whistle before they took to the social media to congratulate the victorious Dream Team VI and their coaches for defying all odds to win the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Senegal 2015 on Saturday.

Warri Wolves striker Etebo Peter Oghenekaro was the hero of the final match against Algeria as his two goals, one penalty in the 14th minute and another solo run in the 40th minute ensured that, despite Oduduwa SegunTope’s own goal in the 30th minute, Nigeria were crowned the champions of the U-23 Nations Cup.

It was however, praises galore for the team, as Nigerians took to the twitter to express their admirations for the Dream Team, who though were not really motivated by the authorities, took upon themselves to make their country proud.

And NFF chairman, Amaju Pinnick was also full of praise for the the Under 23 team and their chief Coach Samson Siasia.

Nonso Okocha, writing with the twitter handle @nonso_pool said:  “Congrats to Nigeria Dream Team for winning the U-23 African championship. We are rebuilding from the grass roots. Well done NFF chairman #Amaju Pinnick.”

Clifford O. Enobun said @worship_maniac that: “It’s so nice to see the Nigerian flag flying proudly! Congrats to the Dream Team… U23 Rio here we come.”

Esoghene Matt Edafe said @elegbete1 that: “Congratulations to Samson Siasia, the U23, @thenff and to all Nigerians. Forget who said what or who did what. We are the U-23 champions”, @LolaAdeoti wrote that “Nigeria won, @thenff please pay these players their money. We Nigerians are really proud of the DreamteamIV.”

Media Officer of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Oluwatoyin Ibitoye was only to use his tweets to hail the officials from the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, the NFF boss,Pinnick, vice president Shehu Dikko and the League Management Committee (LMC) as he said @Toyin_Ibitoye that: “Congrats@SolomonDalung, @thenff, @PinnickAmaju, @ShehuDikko, @LMCNPFL.”

Nigeria did not only win the U-23 Nations Cup, they also secured one of the African three tickets for the football event of Rio 2016 Olympic Games alongside Algeria and South Africa.

“This is another reason to celebrate. We are delighted. But we give a lot of credit to the players and the officials led by Coach Samson Siasia. They showed exceptional perseverance and unyielding spirit to do the nation proud”, said Pinnick on NFF’s website.

“The NFF as a Federation has special praise for Coach Siasia. He was strong mentally and never lost focus, even in the face of odds. He is deserving of every encomium.”

The triumph was the fourth major trophy in the 14-month life of the Amaju Pinnick administration, with the Super Falcons’ 2014 African Women Championship title, the Flying Eagles’ Africa U-20 Cup of Nations win in Senegal earlier in the year and the Golden Eaglets’ successful retention of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in November being the others.