The national under-23 male
football team, the Dream Team VI, on Wednesday in Abuja defeated Ikare United Football Club of Abuja 6-0 in a friendly match.
In the match played at the National Stadium’s mainbowl, the national team dominated the game from the onset.
Peter Onyekachi opened scoring in the third minute of the game with a shot from outside the penalty box, while Etebo Oghenekero doubled the lead in the sixth minute.
Usman Muhammed scored the third goal for the team in the eighth minute of the game, while Tanbora Tingole scored the fourth goal in the 18th minute.
Peter Onyekachi scored the fifth and the sixth goal for the team in the 29th and 37th minutes of the game.
Ikare United fought back in the second half, but the national side closed the game with good defensive play.
At the end of the match, Samson Siasia, Head Coach of the Dream Team VI, said it was a great outing for his team.
“I am happy because they (the team) played to instructions. This is another one of the good friendly matches they have played since they started playing friendly matches.
“This is to show that the team is ready to face Zambia in the final round first leg match of the qualifiers. But they (the players) must fight harder on Sunday.
“We can tell what Zambia will offer us in the game. So, we must be prepared,’’ he said.
On his part, Ariyo Bode, the Chairman of Ikare United FC, said he was not disappointed with the result.
“My players are not used to this kind of pitch. It is their first time of playing on this type of field.
“But I was not expecting them to defeat the national team.
“However, they gave too much respect to the national team. But in the second half they were able to bounce back, even though they ended up with no goal,’’ he said.
The national under-23 team will be facing Zambia in the final round of the All-Africa Games (AAG) qualifiers in Abuja on Sunday.