Athens 2004: Dream Team lose in Dakar

Nigeria’s dream of picking a soccer ticket to this summer’s Olympic games got a major setback Saturday evening in Dakar, as the side fell 3-4 to the young lions of Senegal.

Following a not too impressive performance against Tunisia in Bauchi a couple of weeks back, the Musa Abdullahi tutored side stormed the Senegalese capital with determination to solidify their shaky stand on the four team table.

Shockingly, the Dream Team got behind as early as the first minute when a goal mouth melee led to an own goal that shot the young lions ahead, triggering commotion on the Nigerian bench.

It was a rather harsh way of getting behind as the side failed to get off the stunner and once again conceded another cheap goal in the 5th minute courtesy a Waigo Njie brilliant header.

Dramatic Comeback

Reeling from the shocking start the Young Eagles took control of the game and pressure fell on the home side.

The dream team sensationally rallied back with two goals to level scores at half time.

First from Grasshoppers striker Femi Opabunmi in the 17th minute and another by Enyimba’s Musa Aliyu Yusuf in the 25th minute to the delight of the Nigerian bench.

The first half ended at 2-2.

The second half of the game was even more dramatic as Osaze Odenwegie, who handled things well in midfield shot the Nigerian side ahead in the 62nd minute, a lead that was short-lived as the home side equalized through penalty converted by Badara Sene about two minutes later.

With the game looking like a tie at 3-3, Daniel Bocande made victory sure for the hosts when he slotted the ball behind Dele Aiyenugba in goal for Nigeria.

With this victory, the young lions of Senegal shoot to the top of the group with seven points ahead of Nigeria on four points.