With all the intrigues that preceded the arrival of the Dream Team VI, Nigeria’s Olympic male football team in Brazil, I infer that most people were not really expecting a stellar performance from them during the match against Japan. But oh, were we surprised.
The match against Japan held at Manus Stadium in Brazil was quite an exciting one. The match, which ended in favour of Nigeria, was a harvest of goals for both teams with Nigeria coming out on top.
The first 11 minutes of the game saw both teams tying at 2-2, and it seemed to be a sign for more goals to come. The man of the game went to Oghenekaro Etebo who scored 4 goals to help seal Nigeria’s Victory. This present team lead by Coach Samson Siasia is comprised of the following players Amuzie Stanley, Azubuike Okechukwu, Daniel Akpeyi, Daniel Emmanuel, Etebo Oghenekaro, Imoh Ezekiel, John Obi Mikel, Junior Ajayi, Kingsley Madu, Mohammed Usman, Ndifreke Effiong Udo, Saliu Popoola, Saturday Kaego Erimuya, Shehu Abdullahi, Sincere Muenfuh Seth, Umar Sadiq, William Troost-Ekong.
It would be remembered that exactly 20 years ago, at Atlanta 1996, Nigeria became the first African team to win the Olympic Gold in the male football game.
We wish the Dream team the best of luck and look forward to celebrating another Olympic Gold.