Nigeria’s U-23 football team striker, Kingsley Sokari has said the side deserved their hard fought victory against the Malian opposite, Les Aigles at the ongoing U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.
The Dream Team VI sweated to their panties to win 3-2 in Sunday’s first group clash against West African opponents at the 5000 seats Caroline Faye in M’bour.
Sokari said the Nigerians must have relaxed after the initial 3-0 comfortable win to allow the Malians come back strongly to pull two quick goals back in the encounter.
“Nobody expected Mali to come cheap in the clash and it turned out truly to be a difficult match for both sides.
“Mali’s second half comeback is the usual occurrence in football but I think the Dream Team VI may have relaxed after the first half 3-0 win for the Malians to come up with the scary moments.
“I give kudos to the players for holding on till the last whistle to win 3-2, I think it was a well deserved victory.
“I’m sure they must have learnt their mistake and will not allow a repeat in subsequent matches,” said the Enyimba marksman to supersport.com.
Sokari said Egypt will be tougher than the Malians but insisted that the Nigerians will overcome.
“It will not be easy against the Pharaohs of Egypt, the Egyptians are good and tactical but I believe in our players and coaches to win the match convincingly,” said the Super Eagles goal poacher.
The Dream Team VI will confront Egypt on Wednesday at the Stade Caroline Faye in M’bour for the group match day 2 clash while they will round off the group game against Algeria on Friday in Dakar.
The top two teams in each group will progress to the semifinal where the topmost three teams in the eight-team championship qualify to represent Africa at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.