Dream Team qualify for U-23 Championship after Congo draw

The Nigeria U-23 team, the Dream Team, qualified for the CAF U-23 Championship after a 0-0 draw with Congo in the away leg of their qualifier in Pointe – Noire on Sunday.

The Samson Siasia-led side had defeated Congo 2-1 in the first leg, thus qualify for the finals in Senegal.

A tough game that it was expected to be, the Nigerians gave no inch to the home team right from the blast of the whistle, and looked the more likely to get a goal after four corner kicks inside the first half-hour.

Both sides created chances of their own to win the game, but it remained goalless after 90 minutes.

The aggregate victory means Nigeria can continue the quest for a seventh appearance at the men’s football tournament of the Olympics, since first turning out at the 1968 Games in Mexico City.

Amaju Pinnick, the president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), saluted the team’s feat in Pointe Noire.

“Personally, I am very excited,” he said.

“From the way the boys played in the first leg, I never doubted their ability to qualify. The NFF is proud of the team and will ensure that the team adequately prepares for the African Championship.”

Nigeria join host Senegal, Algeria, Zambia, Egypt, South Africa and Tunisia in the finals to be staged on November 28 to December 11.

The top three teams will fly Africa’s flag at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year while a fourth team will play off against an Asian team.

Either of Mali or Gabon will emerge on Sunday evening to complete the field.