News
U-23 AFCON Qualifier: Nigeria Beats Mali 3-2 …Algeria Holds Egypt 1-1
After scoring three unreplied goals in the first half, Nigeria had to hang on to beat Mali 3-2 in their opening U23 AFCON Group B match in Mbour, Senegal, yesterday night.
This was the classic game of two halves – Nigeria cruised in the first 45 minutes to score three goals, but they were bested by Mali after the interval and had to hold out till the very last minute to stop a remarkable comeback by the boys from Bamako.
The win means Nigeria shoot to the top of the standings with three points after Algeria and Egypt played out a 1-1 draw in the opening match in Mbour earlier yesterday.
Tunisia-based Junior Ajayi netted a brace, while Usman Mohammed was also on target for Dream Team VI all in the first half.
However, after the interval, Mali fought back to score twice for this encounter to go all the way to a nail-biting end.
Adama Niane scored from the penalty spot after 55 minutes after he was fouled inside the box by Oghenekaro Etebo.
And 10 minutes later, Souleyman Sissoko got Mali their second goal when he drove through the Nigeria defence before he slotted past the goalkeeper.
But before their second-half goals Mali had carved out the better chances in front of goal after the first whistle and could even have scored within the first minute, but Adama Traore’s effort came off the crossbar and back into play.
Nigeria soaked the pressure, before they finally got going to score almost against the run of play in the 16th minute, when Ajayi stylishly back heeled home after a superb run down the right flank by the impressive Stanley Dimgba.
Mali continued to chase the game but it was Nigeria who doubled their lead after 34 minutes, when Usman Mohammed turned in a loose ball from inside the box after a great cut-back by Sincere Seth.
But just a minute after this second goal, Nigeria goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel produced a big save when he blocked at point-blank range the dangerous Adama Traore.
Mali also threatened to pull a goal back five minutes to the interval, but again Daniel was alert to cut out the danger at the feet of Niane.
In first half stoppage time, Junior Ajayi made it 3-0 after Mali goalkeeper Diarra failed to hold a powerful shot fired by skipper Azubuike Okechukwu from the edge of the box.
But it was a completely different ball game in the second period as Nigeria were camped in their own half and Mali attacked in search of goals and were rewarded with two, which were just shy of earning them a share of the points on the day.
Meanwhile, Algeria and Egypt played to a 1-1 draw in their opening 2015 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations clash at the Stade Caroline Faye in Mbour, Senegal yesterday.
The result leaves the North African giants on a point apiece with games against Mali and perennial powerhouse Nigeria to come.
Egypt, who have qualified for the Olympics on 11 previous occasions – the most of any team from the African continent – opened the scoring against the run of play in the 54th minute.
Mohamed Saleh picked out Kahraba, who directed a pin-point header past the Algerian goalkeeper at his near post.
This prompted a response from the ‘Fennec Foxes’, who leveled matters through the impressive Zinedine Ferhat on 68 minutes.
The USM Alger attacker, who tormented the Egyptian defence throughout the encounter, blazed past his marker before sending a low shot into the corner of the net from outside the area.
Both teams had an opportunity to win it late on, with Ben Taharm missing a glorious chance in the 84th minute. Having done all the spadework himself, the Algerian number 10 failed to supply the finishing touch to a terrific run.
Pharaohs midfielder Mamdouh Elsayed then saw his free-kick attempt tipped over the crossbar in second-half stoppage time as the two teams settled for a point apiece.
Algeria have only qualified for the Olympics on one single occasion, back in 1980.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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