Dream Team VI wins Nigeria's first medal in Rio after beating Honduras to clinch bronze

NIGERIA has won her first medal at the ongoing Rio Olympics after the men's football team clinched bronze this afternoon by beating Honduras 3-2 in the third place play-off match at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.

 

Thanks to two goals from Sadiq Umar in the 34th and 56th minute and one from Aminu Umar in the 49th minute, Nigeria has won her first medal since the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Honduras ensured the game had a grand stand finish though after Antony Lozano pulled one back in the 71st minute and Marcelo Pereira did likewise four minutes from time.

 

In the first half, the Dream Team VI had started off brightly but the forward line was wasteful in front of goal, squandering numerous chances. Backed by a highly supportive crowd, Nigeria took the game to Honduras but it was not until the 34th minute that Sadiq scored an easy tap in after a brilliant work from skipper Mikel Obi.

 

Aminu made it 2-0 four minutes into the second half after Mikel's fierce shot was parried to the path of the Osmanlispor forward for his second goal of the competition. Mikel was instrumental in the third goal too, feeding Sadiq in the 56th minute.

 

After going three up, Nigeria got casual and complacent at the back, allowing Honduras to come back twice, however the team was able to hold on to its lead until the 90th minute. Later today, hosts Brazil and Germany will face each other in the fight for the gold medal.