Nigeria’s player Sadiq heads the ball to score his team’s first goal during the football match between Sweden and Nigeria for the Olympic Games Rio 2016 in Arena Amazonia, Manaus, Brazil, August 7th, 2016. While their dominance in the opening exchanges was never under threat, they were facing a solid Swedish side, which meant there were no clear-cut chances early on.
Advertisement
Sadiq Umar’s first half strike was all the Dream Team needed to earn a place in the knockout phase of the competition.
Seven minutes later, Etebo connected powerfully with a header in the box, which sailed narrowly over the bar, but Umar made good with his own header four minutes later when diving to connect a marvelous cross from defender Stanley Amuzie. Then, minutes later, Linde got his fingertips to an Etebo shot that was heading for goal.
The Dream Team who look more refreshed and prepared than they were in their last game against Japan, found their rhythm right from the kick off and dominated play but could not convert chances.
Joakim Nilsson almost sparked an unlikely comeback for the Swedes in the first minute of added time, releasing a cutback for a teammate when the Nigerian defenders were expecting a cross, but Sincere Seth displayed a great deal of composure to divert the resultant shot off the goalpost.
Advertisement
Nigeria’s Dream Team VI stay winning at the 2016 Olympic Games now ongoing in Rio, Brazil.
