In a game of two halves, the U23 squad known as Dream Team IV, took a three goal lead in the first half but allowed the Malians to come back after the break, scoring twice. Striker Junior Ajayi opened the scoring in the 16th minute when he back-heeled home after a superb run down the right flank by Stanley Dimgba and Usman Mohammed made it two in the 34th minute with Ajayi getting Nigeria's third just before the first half ended.
Following the restart, however, Niane scored for the Malians from the penalty spot after 55 minutes after he was fouled inside the box by Oghenekaro Etebo. Then, 10 minutes later, Souleyman Sissoko got Mali their second goal when he drove through the Nigeria defence before he slotted past the goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel.
In the last few minutes of the game, Nigerian fan were on the edges of their seats as the Malians threw everything into the game seeking to salvage a point from the encounter. However, the Eagles managed to hold out, taking home three precious points and securing top spot in their group for now.
In the other group game, Algeria and Egypt played a 1-1 draw with the Pharaohs opening the scoring in the 54th minute and the Algerians equalising on 68 minutes. Egypt, who has qualified for the Olympics on 11 previous occasions, more than any African team, opened the scoring against the run of play when Mohamed Saleh picked out Kahraba, who directed a pin-point header home.
This prompted a robust response from the Desert Foxes, who levelled through the impressive Zinedine Ferhat on 68 minutes. Algeria has only qualified for the Olympics on one single occasion, back in 1980.
Nigeria XI
Emmanuel Daniel
Ndifreke Effiong
Sincere Seth
Segun Oduduwa
Zaharadeen Bello
Azubuike Okechukwu
Usman Mohammed
Oghenekaro Etebo
Stanley Dimgba
Taiwo Awoniyi
Junior Ajayi
Watch goals here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&;v=e9Cana8WlzM
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