The national under-23 team, the Dream Team VI, on Thursday in Abuja defeated Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna 1-0 in a friendly match.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the match played at the National Stadium saw the Dream Team VI taking an early lead through Peter Onyekachi’s 15th minute goalThe News Agency of Nigeria reports that the match played at the National Stadium saw the Dream Team VI taking an early lead through Peter Onyekachi’s 15th minute goal..
Tornadoes had a scoring chance of their own in the 18th minute, when Ibrahim Omolayo got into the penalty box but opted to lay a pass instead of shooting.
Freedom Omofonma could have doubled the lead for the under-23 side in the 34th minute, but his powerful strike from long range narrowly missed target.
The Dream team continued to dominate most part of the game as they had several other chances at goal, but failed to double their lead.
Tornadoes players, however, piled pressure but could not get any goal.
On resumption of the second half, the Dream Team VI players continued from where they stopped in the first half as they pinned their opponents to their half.
Azubuike Okechukwu combined well with Stanley Amuzie in the midfield to put Tornadoes under so much pressure.
Tornadoes made two changes in the 86th minute, bringing in Nobas Omoregie for Yahaya Yusuf and Solomon Kanitoma for Chinedu Unanze, to beef up their attack.
But all their efforts yielded no result as the Dream Team held on for a 1-0 victory.
Speaking with newsmen after the match, the Chief Coach of Tornadoes, Hamza Abduazeez, said he was quite pleased with the outcome of the game.
Abduazeez said: “The aim of the match is to serve as part of the training for the Dream Team VI.
“But it is clear that they have a very formidable team.
“My players on their own part were not prepared enough for the match, because it was a sudden call we got.
“But, I am impressed with the result, even though they defeated us.”
Timi Ebikagboro, the Dream Team VI’s Media Officer, told newsmen after the game that it was a tough match, but that their players’ resilience helped them.
Ebikagboro said: “It was a good match and I must commend Tornadoes for putting up a good fight.
“My boys held their ground at the end and deserved the victory.
“The coaches are working hard on our players and I can see in them the fact that they listen to instructions.”
NAN reports that the game is part of a series of friendlies lined up for the national team.
They will be taking on their Gabonese counterparts in the first leg match of their fixture later this month.
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