Nigeria U-23 take control of Group B after Mali fright

Two goals from Oluwafemi Junior and a third from Muhammed Usman in the first half secured all three points for the Dream Team VI against Mali on Sunday at the CAF U-23 championship in Senegal. 

The second half of the game saw a more determined Mali side who scored two goals to stage a comeback but the Nigerian side held on to the score line to top group B.

Mali’s Adama Niane saw his 37th seconds shot hit the cross bar.

With the Nigeria U-23 defence lacking coherence in the second half, Mali improved on their attack and scored two goals in the 55th and 65th minutes of the encounter.

First it was Adama Niane who scored from the penalty spot after he was fouled inside the 18-yard box by Oghenekaro Etebo, and then Souleyman Sissoko scored his side’s second goal with 25 minutes to play.

Mali pushed for an equalizer but the Dream Team VI soaked pressure to end the game.

The victory has taken Nigeria top of group B with three points after group rivals, Egypt and Algeria had played out a 1-1 draw earlier on Sunday.

The Dream Team VI will play Egypt on Tuesday for the second game of the group.