Nigeria’s Dream Team, Saturday night, qualified for the semi finals in the Rio Olympic 2016, having thrashed Denmark 2-0 in Salvador, Brazil in the quarterfinal.
The Dream Team went into the match with a lot of zeal and determination, which paid off early, with a goal scored in the 15 minutes of play by John Mikel Obi.
The two teams made several forays into each other’s territory but could not find the net until the first half was over.
On resumption for the second half, Nigeria renewed their attacks in search of goals, which paid off as Umar Sadiq increased the tally to two through a header.
Goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel, made several point blank saves to keep Nigeria in the lead.
Nigeria will now battle Germany in the semi-finals at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.
Germany had defeated Portugal by 4-0.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a word of courage to what he called “the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian soccer team to the Olympics Games,” which saw them flying over Denmark 2-0 to qualify for the semi-finals.
“Again and again, the unconquerable Nigerian spirit has come to the fore, showing that where there is a will, there’s always a way. This was a team that was not given much chance, but which has now advanced into the semi-finals. Go for it. Go for the gold, and let the Nigerian banner be held proudly aloft once again on the global stage. We are almost there. Let’s go.”
President Buhari called on Nigerians to pray and support the Nigerian contingent to the Olympics, especially the soccer team, so that the rest of the world will know that even in the face of economic adversity, the Nigerian spirit remains resolute and lifted high.
“And this, we shall demonstrate in every sphere of our national life,” the President added. [myad]
