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The Nigerians enjoyed an encouraging start to the game, as Aminu Umar struck the upright after eight minutes. Honduras started seeing a bit more of the ball as the half went on and could have taken the lead after 23 minutes, but Daniel Akpeyi produced a fine save to keep out Rommen Quioto from distance. Nigeria showed some real attacking intent and were
rewarded in the 32nd minute thanks to a strike from Sadiq Umar, with John Obi Mikel picking up the assist.
rewarded in the 32nd minute thanks to a strike from Sadiq Umar, with John Obi Mikel picking up the assist.
The Dream Team were in control after taking the lead and managed to deny the Hondurans a clear-cut for the rest of the first half. Nigeria doubled their lead five minutes into the second half, as Aminu Umar fired home a right-footed effort from inside the box. Umar completed his B.race just before the hour-mark when he latched onto a ball from Mikel, before firing into the bottom corner, 3-0. Honduras managed to reduce the deficit in the 70th minute when Anthony Lozano clinically slotted past Akpeyi from close range. The Hondurans pulled another goal back in the 86th minute, as Marcelo Pereira headed home Oscar Salas’s free-kick to set up a nervy finish. However, the Nigerians managed to see off the late surge to claim the victory and the bronze medal.
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Some notable Nigerians have reacted to the triumph of the dream team.Christian Chukwu, a former coach of the Super Eagles, told NAN that the team’s good performance gave them the desired victory against Hunduras. “They exhibited the desire to win. I’m glad that they played as a team and played a coordinated game to win the bronze medal. “They also listened to their handlers and that was why they were able to create good chances and scored goals. “If only they played this way against the Germans in the semi-finals, we would have gone home with the silver medal at worst. “But the game wasn’t that easy for the boys in the second half, they lost concentration, hence the goals against them. “I am happy that we came and won at least a medal in the Olympics though it was a poor outing for Team Nigeria. “I hope that in Japan 2020, we will have to put our acts together for a better outing,’’ Chukwu said.
Bright Omokara, a former Super Eagles player, commended the team for etching the country name in the medals table at the Rio Olympics. Omokara said the players had redeemed the image of the country through football at the Olympics by winning a bronze medal. “It would have been a shame if we failed to win any medal in Brazil, but thanks to the Dream Team VI for registering the country on the Games’ medal log. “In spite of all they went through before and during the Games, they were able to take the third position,’’ he said. Falade Oyekan, board member of the Lagos State Football Association, lauded the players for their feat at the Olympics. Oyekan said the players should not to be discouraged when called-up to represent the country due to the challenges they encounter before and during the competition.
It is a sad state of affairs that the Olympics which has been going on for 2 weeks has only seen Nigeria win ONE medal..and that medal is a bronze...We just seem to be going from bad to worse in every aspect.But this is what happens when you leave knowledgeable people who can run our sports sector and appoint people who have absolute no experience.
It is a sad state of affairs that the Olympics which has been going on for 2 weeks has only seen Nigeria win ONE medal..and that medal is a bronze...We just seem to be going from bad to worse in every aspect.But this is what happens when you leave knowledgeable people who can run our sports sector and appoint people who have absolute no experience.
Congrats meanwhile to the dream team.