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Nigeria/South Africa: Nigeria's Dream Team IV Berth in Beijing
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This Day (Lagos)
27 March 2008
Posted to the web 27 March 2008
Dayo Thomas
Abuja
Nigeria's Under-23 national squad, the Dream Team IV yesterday booked their passage to the soccer event of Olympic in Beijing, China with a 3-0 victory over Amagluglug of South Africa at the Abuja National Stadium.
Taye Taiwo, Olympique Marseille of France left-wing-back opened the flood gate of goals late in the second half, after converting with a header to put Samson Siasia's boys one-up against the visitors from the south of the continent.
The South Africans would cave in midway through the second half, conceding an own goal for Nigeria's second on the evening before Everton of England's youngster, Victor Anichebe made the best of his international debut for Nigeria with the day's third goal.
Anichebe ensured he put behind him his repeated rejection by erstwhile Super Eagles coach, Berti Vogts, while also defying a recent hip injury and braving the odds of the harsh weather in Abuja to make a 76th minute entry in place of Solomon Okoronkwo and scored his debut-day goal in the 89th minute of play.
The result took Dream Team above Ghana's Black Meteors, who had been atop the table going into the game, but paid the prize of playing a goalless draw with Nigeria when both rivals clashed late last year in Accra.
The Olympic soccer team coach, Samson Siasia yesterday shed tears of joy immediately after his players defeated the South Africa's Amaglug-glug 3-0 to pick the group ticket to Beijing Olympics. He said the boys were good and loyal.
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"These boys did not disappoint me. From the moment I got in touch with them about this match in their respective base, they all assured me they would come and they did. They did not only come, they demonstrated that they are reliable with the way they came out in full force to beat the South Africans for the ticket to Beijing Olympics.
"So, we should be preparing to really contest the Olympic Games' medal with other soccer greats that would be in attendance. The way these boys demonstrated tonight, they are capable of lifting the soccer medal at the games. We need adequate preparation to realise our dream", Samson Siasia said in a chat last night.
He expressed that the Minister's 4,000 US dollars promise notwithstanding, "The boys have promised to redeem the country's image by beating South Africa, and they did just that. So, whatever I can I will do for them for their efforts", he added.
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