Nigeria keeps Olympic dreams alive

Egypt based Robert Akaruye drew first blood in the 40th minute when he scored through an over head kick in the 18 yard box leaving the game 1-0 as it went into the interval.

In the 75th minute, it was Robert Akaruye again as he tapped in a pull out from substitute Endurance Idahor and with the games in its dying seconds, another substitute, Victor Ezeji rammed home a rebound off an Endurance Idahor shot that ricocheted off the upright.

Flurry of misses

The Nigerian team were guilty of blowing away several scoring chances with Switzerland based Alfred Emoefe a major culprit.

As early as the 16th minute Emoefe, must have started to curse his luck when he faild to score in the six yard box after Felix Ogbuke had waltzed through the Egyptian defence and set him free.

Perhaps the most unpardonable misses from Emoefe would have been in the 84th and 85th minute when he had just the Egyptian keeper, Wail Ahmed to beat and on both occasions he shot wide.

The Nigerian defence also got complacent ocassionally creating tense momments in the stands but goalkeeper John Gaadi acquited himself well.

Victor Ezeji, below, got Nigeria's third goal, after coming in less than five minutes earlier.



A must win in Tunis

The other group game between Senegal and Tunisia ended in a barren draw.

This result put Nigeria's U-23 team in pole position to qualify for the Athens 2004 Olympics even though they still have a crunch tie in Tunis in a fortnight.

Chief Coach of the side, Kadiri Ikhana told nigeriasports.com just after the match that his boys did what was expected of them and he was impressed with their output.

"I dont agree that the foreign based players did not leave up to expectations. I dont even agree that the whoel team had a dull game," Ikhana said.

"If you have a dull game and score three goals, what would you call a lively game?"

Coach Ikhana said his team are on course to Athens and not even the Tunisian would stop them, a charge that was collaborated by two goal hero, Robert Akaruye who plays his club football in Egypt with Arab Contractors.

Akaruye told nigeriasports.com that his two goals were crucial in that they might eventually count for Nigeria in her bid to get to Athens.

He said the target of the team is the Olympic ticket and he and his team mates would do every thing they can to ensure the country qualifies for the games.

Meanwhile, the team will be embarking on a 3-days break ahead of the last qualifiers billed for Saturday 27, March in Tunis.

Nigeria: John Gaadi-Gk, Aniekan Enyeama, Ogbonna Okemiri, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Obinna Nwaneri, Ayelusi Dimeji, Alfred Emoefe, Segun Abiodun (Idahor,70th), Robert Akaruye, Ilyasu Isiaku (Abosi,55th) Felix Ogbuke (Ezeji,87th).

Coach-Kadiri Ikhana

Egypt-Wail Muhammed-Gk, Muhammed Fatoui, Ibrahim Osni (Osni,74th), Ahmed Said, Reda Muhammed (Hossam Hosamma,85th), Abdellah Mahmoud, Muhammed Muhammed, Hassam Muhammed, Ahmed Madi, Islam Esam, Abdella Shahat (Walid Feisat,90th).

Coach-Mohammed Rap

Referee: Divine Raphel  (Cameroon)