Have you heard about the game where Nigeria national football team defeated Japan?
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However, Nigeria’s night of glory was completed seconds later when the referee blew for full-time, finishing off a remarkable, and exhausting day for a team whose plight captured worldwide attention and sympathy. My boys defied science to win this game; what gave us this game was the mental toughness of the boys.
After traveling 3,000 miles the day of the game, Nigeria took down Japan 5-4 in a wild Group B matchup.
Etebo, who opened his account in the 11th minute, would go onto score four goals in the match.
In a message to the Nigerian Olympic contingent on Friday, President Buhari said he hoped that the victory of Nigeria’s Under 23 football team, the Dream Team VI, over their Japanese opponents in the early hours of Friday will serve as an inspiration to the entire contingent of the grand show Nigerians expect from our athletes. However, Japanese players did not want to give up.
Japan’s Rio Olympic campaign got off to an embarrassing start on Thursday, losing 5-4 to a Nigerian team that only arrived in Brazil just hours before kickoff.
Before the brake Etebo scored his second goal in this match.
Japan had the game’s first chance but Emmanuel Daniel made a point blank save before Sincere Seth cleared away for a corner.
Former captain of the team Okechukwu Azubuike said they will now have to work on their defensive lapses after conceding four goals against the Asians.
The second match in Group B did not take long to spring into life, even with the lethargy expected from the Nigerian side’s late arrival from their US training camp. Reports also had it that they played friendly games wearing different jersey brands.
Nigeria celebrates his third goal during 2016 Summer Olympics match between Japan and Nigeria at Arena Amazonia on August 4, 2016 in Manaus, Brazil.
Meanwhile, our correspondent learnt that Team Nigeria are in high spirits following the U-23 team’s unbelievable win.
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On 60 minutes Mothobi Mvala was sent off for a second yellow card, and life became more hard for the South Africans, but they held on and earned a useful 1-1 draw against the hosts, who are determined to win their first ever football Olympic gold.
