U23 Nations Cup Final: Etebo brace shoots Nigeria ahead

Saturday, December 12, 2015 9:04 pm

Oghenekaro Etebo: brace helps Nigeria in first half

Nigeria’s Dream Team had the upper hand in the first half of the U-23 final match in Dakar Senegal.

Scoreline at the end of the first half saw the Samson Siasia coached boys leading by two goals, thanks to a brace by Oghenekaro Etebo, the leading scorer in the tournament. He now has five goals to his name.

Algeria’s lone goal came from a Nigerian defender, Oduduwa, who headed the ball into his own net as he tried to ward off one of the rare efforts by Algerian attackers.

All Otebo’s previous three goals came from penalties. And he scored the fourth penalty on the 21st minute to record Nigeria’s first goal against Algeria. He created the penalty himself, after he was felled down during a run in the middle to the Algerian 18 yard box.

He struck again in the 40th minute via another brilliant solo effort, after snatching the ball from the Algerians right in the midfield.

He ran down with the ball, until he reached the goal post for the tap in. His second goal restored Nigeria’s lead.

The Algerians in the extra minute made a dangerous run into the Nigerian goal area, but their effort was booted out by a Nigerian defender.

Trailing Otebo on the scorer’s chart is another Nigerian player, Junior Ajayi with two goals.

Other players on two goals margin are Zinedine Ferhat from Algeria, Haythem Jouini from Tunisia, Senegalese Ibrahima Keita and South Africans Menzi Masuku and Gift Motupa.