Against all odds, the Dream Team played and won their first group match of the Rio 2016 defeating Japan 5-4 at the Arena Amazonia in Manaus.
Umar Sadiq and Oghenekaro Etebo were the stand out players in the defiant Nigerian side that outclassed Japan ; despite arriving Manaus 6 hours before the kick off. Etebo score 4 goals on the day while Umar seemed contended holding up play to allow his teammates punish the quite cautious Japanese. Captain Mikel John Obi did not score but was also on hand to inspire the team. The nine-goal thriller dwarfed the equally goal friendly 2-2 draw between Nigeria’s other group opponents, Sweden and Colombia.
Siasia’s men can be rest assured the next opponent , Sweden will not underrate them but till then the 1996 Gold Medal winners will sit comfortably on top of Group B.
On August 7, Nigeria will return to the Amazônia Arena Manaus to keep a date with Sweden in the second group stage.
credit: footballlive