AFCON U-23: Nigeria survive Mali’s late blitz, shoot to top

By John Egbokhan
Nigeria got their campaign at the CAF U-23 Championship off to a shaky but winning start yesterday, edging Mali 3-2 in their Group B clash at the Stade Caroline Faye in Mbour.

A game of two halves, saw the Nigerians scoring three goals in the first half, while Mali got the second half, netting twice but falling short of nicking the equaliser, which they truly deserved on the evidence of their performance and second half display.

This is a match that Coach Samson Siasia would quickly want to forget as he attempts to qualify Nigeria for next summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.

Siasia like most Nigerians would not be happy with the second half display of his Dream Team, who largely went to sleep in the second half and almost allowing Mali to claw their way back into the game,

Parading what seemed a dream strking pair of Liverpool’s Taiwo Awoniyi and CF Sfaxien Junior Ajayi  in attack, Nigeria made a dream start when Ajayi netted the opener in the 15th minute.

Ajayi;s goal could not have come at a better time, scoring against the run of play, tipping in the ball with the back of his right foot.. He was a regular scorer during the qualifying matches for this tournament and fully deserved to get the ball rolling for Nigeria.

The goal seemed to fire Mali on with the likes of Salomon Diarra, Adaa Traore and captain Boubacar Diarra attacking the Nigerian defence, manned by Ndifreke Effiong, Sincere Seth, Segun Oduduwa and Zaharadeen Bello.

Even though they had the majority possession, Mali found Emmanuel Daniel in goal for Nigeria impregnable. The festive atmosphere in the stadium made the match all the more interesting as both west Africans went for each other’s jugulars.

In the 30th minute, Diame Traore’s free kick was blocked by the Nigerian defence line. Mali continued probing for their own goal but Nigeria stood firm and  took the lead in the 35th minute, when midfielder Usman Mohammed unleashed a  fiercesome strike into the back of Mali’s net.

And in injury time of first half, Ajayi scored his second of the night, tapping in captain Azubuike Okechukwu’s initial shot, looking like a  predator.

But in the second half, Mali gave Nigeria a scare when two goals, the first a penalty by  Adana Niane in the 54th minute and  and the second ten minutes later by Sisoko beat three ball watching Nigerians to score second goal for Mali.

Nigeria will be back to action on Wednesday against Egypt. A win for Nigeria will qualify them for the semi final.